“Africa is now hopeful”: reflections on the Pope's stay in Kenya

“Africa is now hopeful”: reflections on the Pope's stay in Kenya

(Vatican Radio) The Kenyan people are basking in the joy and peace brought by Pope Francis, as he prepares to travel onwards to Uganda.

Vatican Radio’s Linda Bordoni spoke with Charles Besigye, a teacher at the Catholic University of Nairobi about the Holy Father’s legacy in Kenya.

Mr Besigye explained how the Pope had emphasized the importance of education when speaking at mass at the University of Nairobi on Thursday and at a meeting with young people at the  Kasarani Stadium on Friday.

“We need to educate ourselves on African traditional values and mix it with the values of the Gospel… we will be sons of God”. He went on to say that, as a teacher, he must “not only transmit academics but also values”.

Charles said the thought that the Pope’s Argentinian upbringing gave him an “African touch… how he moves, how he delivers… as a grandfather”. He said that Pope Francis had acted as an African elder, transmitting values to the young people of Kenya.

Speaking about Pope Francis’ leaving legacy, he said the “message of peace… is in the heart of Kenyans” and thought that the idea of corruption could now be tackled.

“Above all”, he said, the Pope “transmitted joy”. “Africa is now hopeful… the face of Africa is now changing… peace will reign in Africa now”.

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