Pope
brings courage and hope to slum dwellers in Nairobi
(Vatican
Radio) Pope Francis began his last day today in Kenya with a visit to slum
dwellers in the heart of Nairobi. Speaking to the inhabitants of Kangemi
slum he reminded them the Lord never forgets them.
In
a hard-hitting appeal he asked for social inclusion, education, protection for
families – a response to what he called the consequences of new forms of
colonization.
In Nairobi, Linda Bordoni reports
There
are approximately 2.5 million slum dwellers in Nairobi representing 60% of the
city’s population and occupying just 6% of the land.
One
of the slums is called Kibera – it’s the biggest and most populated slum in the
world.
But
organizers have chosen to host Pope Francis’s visit is Kangemi. It’s known as
“Nairobi’s friendly slum” because it is less dangerous – less harrowing in its
desperate poverty – than some of the other 6 slums in the city.
The
Pope’s visit to Kangemi was the first official event on this last day of his in
Kenya. For him – I suspect – perhaps the most important and poignant as he has
made walking with the poor a top priority of his pontificate right from the
very beginning.
As
Pope Francis’ pope-mobile bumped its way down the potholed dirt road taking him
to the Church of St Joseph the Worker I couldn’t help but wonder whether he
knows that that road has especially been improved for the occasion and that the
other roads in the area are much worse. I am sure he does.
The
Jesuit-led Church where parishioners and a selection of slum dwellers from all
the other slums of the city spruced up to welcome him is small and simple. Just
the kind of place I think Pope Francis feels at home in.
Speaking
in his own Spanish, Pope Francis told those present they have a special place
in his life, he said he knows their joys, their hopes and their sorrows: “How
can I not denounce the injustices which you suffer?”
And
although he was close and familiar in his attitude and unspoken body language,
his words contained strong socio-political overtones as he talked of the
dreadful injustice of urban exclusion and of the “wounds inflicted by
minorities who cling to power and wealth, who selfishly squander while a growing
majority is forced to flee to abandoned, filthy and run-down peripheries”.
As
he always had since his arrival here in Kenya, the Pope visibly appreciated the
beautiful singing and dancing put on for him. This is something observers keep
commenting on at every occasion. What many don’t realize it’s part of life
here. Much more than entertainment, this is how Africans across the continent
communicate emotions, celebrate rites of passage, and help strengthen the bonds
between communities and tribes.
But
there was time for more as well: being together, holding hands, embracing
children. And lots of hope.
Hope
that the government will continue to listen to the people and heed Pope
Francis’ urgent call to give all families dignified housing, access to drinking
water, a toilet, reliable streets, squares, schools, hospitals, areas for
sport, recreation and art.
The
basic services each person deserves on the basis of his or her infinite human
dignity.
In
Nairobi with Pope Francis, I’m Linda Bordoni
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