The aircraft carrying the Holy Father, which left Rome's Fumicino International Airport this morning, landed at 4:45pm local time (8:45am EST) at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, following a flight of seven hours.
Upon his arrival, Pope Francis was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Kenya, Mister Uhuru Kenyatta; by the Archbishop of Nairobi, Cardinal John Njue; by the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency, Charles Daniel Balvo; and by the President of the Episcopal Conference, His Excellency, Philip A. Anyolo, along with some Kenyan Bishops. Also present were some State Authorities and a representation of the faithful as well as some choristers and dancers.
In the Presidential Hall, the Holy Father signed the Golden Book and then traveled by car to the State House of Nairobi for the official welcoming ceremonies.
Having arrived shortly after 5:30pm local time at the State House in Nairobi for the Welcoming Ceremonies, the Holy Father, Pope Francis was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Kenya, Mister Uhuru Kenyatta, who sat with him on the podium. Following the singing of the national anthems, the presentation of military honours and the presentation of the respective delegations, teh Pope planted a tree in the garden and then entered the Presidential Palace in order to pay a courtesy visit to the President.
Having signed the Golden Book, Pope Francis then went to the President's study for a private meeting. Meanwhile, there was a bilateral meeting between the Vatican delegation and that of Kenya, including (representing the Vatican): the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin; Cardinals Filoni, Turkson and Njue; and Archbishops Becciu, Balvo and Amyolo.
At the conclusion of the private meetings, the President's family was allowed into the room where there was an exchange of gifts.
At 6:40pm, in the garden outside the State House in Nairobi, the Holy Father, Pope Francis met with Kenyan Authorities and the members of the Diplomatic Corps. Senior figures and personalities from the world of politics, economy and culture were in attendance.
Following a speech by the President of the Republic, Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, the Pope also shared his address:
Mister President,
Honourable Government and Civil Leaders,
Distinguished Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
My Brother Bishops,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am most grateful for your warm welcome on this, my first visit to Africa. I thank you, Mister President, for your kind words in the name of the Kenyan people, and I look forward to my stay among you. Kenya is a young and vibrant nation, a richly diverse society which plays a significant role in the region. In many ways your experience of shaping a democracy is one shared by many other African nations. Like Kenya, they too are working to build, on the solid foundations of mutual respect, dialogue and cooperation, a multi-ethnic society which is truly harmonious, just and inclusive.
Yours too is a nation of young people. In these days, I look forward to meeting many of them, speaking with them, and encouraging their hopes and aspirations for the future. The young are any nation’s most valuable resource. To protect them, to invest in them and to offer them a helping hand, is the best way we can ensure a future worthy of the wisdom and spiritual values dear to their elders, values which are the very heart and soul of a people.
Kenya has been blessed not only with immense beauty, in its mountains, rivers and lakes, its forests, savannahs and semi-deserts, but also by an abundance of natural resources. The Kenyan people have a strong appreciation of these God-given treasures and are known for a culture of conservation which does you honour. The grave environmental crisis facing our world demands an ever greater sensitivity to the relationship between human beings and nature. We have a responsibility to pass on the beauty of nature in its integrity to future generations, and an obligation to exercise a just stewardship of the gifts we have received. These values are deeply rooted in the African soul. In a world which continues to exploit rather than protect our common home, they must inspire the efforts of national leaders to promote responsible models of economic development.
In effect, there is a clear link between the protection of nature and the building of a just and equitable social order. There can be no renewal of our relationship with nature, without a renewal of humanity itself (cf. Laudato Si’, 118). To the extent that our societies experience divisions, whether ethnic, religious or economic, all men and women of good will are called to work for reconciliation and peace, forgiveness and healing. In the work of building a sound democratic order, strengthening cohesion and integration, tolerance and respect for others, the pursuit of the common good must be a primary goal. Experience shows that violence, conflict and terrorism feed on fear, mistrust, and the despair born of poverty and frustration. Ultimately, the struggle against these enemies of peace and prosperity must be carried on by men and women who fearlessly believe in, and bear honest witness to, the great spiritual and political values which inspired the birth of the nation.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the advancement and preservation of these great values is entrusted in a special way to you, the leaders of your country’s political, cultural and economic life. This is a great responsibility, a true calling, in the service of the entire Kenyan people. The Gospel tells us that from those to whom much has been given, much will be demanded (Lk 12:48). In that spirit, I encourage you to work with integrity and transparency for the common good, and to foster a spirit of solidarity at every level of society. I ask you in particular to show genuine concern for the needs of the poor, the aspirations of the young, and a just distribution of the natural and human resources with which the Creator has blessed your country. I assure you of the continued efforts of the Catholic community, through its educational and charitable works, to offer its specific contribution in these areas.
Dear friends, I am told that here in Kenya it is a tradition for young schoolchildren to plant trees for posterity. May this eloquent sign of hope in the future, and trust in the growth which God gives, sustain all of you in your efforts to cultivate a society of solidarity, justice and peace on the soil of this country and throughout the great African continent. I thank you once more for your warm welcome, and upon you and your families, and all the beloved Kenyan people, I invoke the Lord’s abundant blessings.
Mungu abariki Kenya!
God bless Kenya!
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Pope traveled by car to the Apostolic Nunciature in Nairobi.
Upon his arrival, Pope Francis was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Kenya, Mister Uhuru Kenyatta; by the Archbishop of Nairobi, Cardinal John Njue; by the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency, Charles Daniel Balvo; and by the President of the Episcopal Conference, His Excellency, Philip A. Anyolo, along with some Kenyan Bishops. Also present were some State Authorities and a representation of the faithful as well as some choristers and dancers.
In the Presidential Hall, the Holy Father signed the Golden Book and then traveled by car to the State House of Nairobi for the official welcoming ceremonies.
Having arrived shortly after 5:30pm local time at the State House in Nairobi for the Welcoming Ceremonies, the Holy Father, Pope Francis was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Kenya, Mister Uhuru Kenyatta, who sat with him on the podium. Following the singing of the national anthems, the presentation of military honours and the presentation of the respective delegations, teh Pope planted a tree in the garden and then entered the Presidential Palace in order to pay a courtesy visit to the President.
Having signed the Golden Book, Pope Francis then went to the President's study for a private meeting. Meanwhile, there was a bilateral meeting between the Vatican delegation and that of Kenya, including (representing the Vatican): the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin; Cardinals Filoni, Turkson and Njue; and Archbishops Becciu, Balvo and Amyolo.
At the conclusion of the private meetings, the President's family was allowed into the room where there was an exchange of gifts.
At 6:40pm, in the garden outside the State House in Nairobi, the Holy Father, Pope Francis met with Kenyan Authorities and the members of the Diplomatic Corps. Senior figures and personalities from the world of politics, economy and culture were in attendance.
Following a speech by the President of the Republic, Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, the Pope also shared his address:
Speech of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
to civil Authorities and members of the Diplomatic Corps
Mister President,
Honourable Government and Civil Leaders,
Distinguished Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
My Brother Bishops,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am most grateful for your warm welcome on this, my first visit to Africa. I thank you, Mister President, for your kind words in the name of the Kenyan people, and I look forward to my stay among you. Kenya is a young and vibrant nation, a richly diverse society which plays a significant role in the region. In many ways your experience of shaping a democracy is one shared by many other African nations. Like Kenya, they too are working to build, on the solid foundations of mutual respect, dialogue and cooperation, a multi-ethnic society which is truly harmonious, just and inclusive.
Yours too is a nation of young people. In these days, I look forward to meeting many of them, speaking with them, and encouraging their hopes and aspirations for the future. The young are any nation’s most valuable resource. To protect them, to invest in them and to offer them a helping hand, is the best way we can ensure a future worthy of the wisdom and spiritual values dear to their elders, values which are the very heart and soul of a people.
Kenya has been blessed not only with immense beauty, in its mountains, rivers and lakes, its forests, savannahs and semi-deserts, but also by an abundance of natural resources. The Kenyan people have a strong appreciation of these God-given treasures and are known for a culture of conservation which does you honour. The grave environmental crisis facing our world demands an ever greater sensitivity to the relationship between human beings and nature. We have a responsibility to pass on the beauty of nature in its integrity to future generations, and an obligation to exercise a just stewardship of the gifts we have received. These values are deeply rooted in the African soul. In a world which continues to exploit rather than protect our common home, they must inspire the efforts of national leaders to promote responsible models of economic development.
In effect, there is a clear link between the protection of nature and the building of a just and equitable social order. There can be no renewal of our relationship with nature, without a renewal of humanity itself (cf. Laudato Si’, 118). To the extent that our societies experience divisions, whether ethnic, religious or economic, all men and women of good will are called to work for reconciliation and peace, forgiveness and healing. In the work of building a sound democratic order, strengthening cohesion and integration, tolerance and respect for others, the pursuit of the common good must be a primary goal. Experience shows that violence, conflict and terrorism feed on fear, mistrust, and the despair born of poverty and frustration. Ultimately, the struggle against these enemies of peace and prosperity must be carried on by men and women who fearlessly believe in, and bear honest witness to, the great spiritual and political values which inspired the birth of the nation.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the advancement and preservation of these great values is entrusted in a special way to you, the leaders of your country’s political, cultural and economic life. This is a great responsibility, a true calling, in the service of the entire Kenyan people. The Gospel tells us that from those to whom much has been given, much will be demanded (Lk 12:48). In that spirit, I encourage you to work with integrity and transparency for the common good, and to foster a spirit of solidarity at every level of society. I ask you in particular to show genuine concern for the needs of the poor, the aspirations of the young, and a just distribution of the natural and human resources with which the Creator has blessed your country. I assure you of the continued efforts of the Catholic community, through its educational and charitable works, to offer its specific contribution in these areas.
Dear friends, I am told that here in Kenya it is a tradition for young schoolchildren to plant trees for posterity. May this eloquent sign of hope in the future, and trust in the growth which God gives, sustain all of you in your efforts to cultivate a society of solidarity, justice and peace on the soil of this country and throughout the great African continent. I thank you once more for your warm welcome, and upon you and your families, and all the beloved Kenyan people, I invoke the Lord’s abundant blessings.
Mungu abariki Kenya!
God bless Kenya!
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Pope traveled by car to the Apostolic Nunciature in Nairobi.
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