Africa in Rome

This morning, Saint Peter's Square was awash in colour and song. With the words of the Laudes Regiae resounding, the procession snaked toward the altar to begin a Solemn Mass during which the Holy Father opened of the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops. This meeting is scheduled to take place for the next number of weeks, and will consider various themes relevant to the life of the Church on that continent.

The theme chosen for this encounter is The Church in Africa at the service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace. 'You are the salt of the earth ... you are the light of the world'.

Almost 400 participants are gathered in the Eternal City for this Assembly (see the numbers up close), the second to consider themes specific to Africa. The first, held in 1994, has been studied and applied in various ways since. Even now though, there are some marked differences, among which is the style of the liturgy used in some of the African nations.

With it's customary speed, the Vatican Communications Office has already posted the text of the Holy Father's homily for this morning's Mass in which he tied the theme of matrimony, apparent in the liturgical texts chosen for today's liturgy, to the work which has already been accomplished in preparation for the Special Assembly of Bishops, and the hope and prayer that their work over these coming weeks will also bear much fruit.