On September 4, Pope Francis began his weeklong apostolic journey to Africa. The continent, which has a rapidly growing Catholic population, also has the highest rate of poverty in the world. The pope’s journey was aimed at three nations—Mozambique, Madagascar, and Mauritius—in order to address the conflict, destitution, and environmental stresses that plague parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.
The pope’s first destination was Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. Upon arrival, he was greeted by music, traditional dances, crowds of disciples, and President Filipe Nyusi himself. The nation, which was ravaged by civil war in the latter half of the 20th century, has a Catholic population of over 8 million.
On September 5, Pope Francis addressed the youth of Mozambique at Maxaquene Stadium: “You are important! But be humble, too. You are not only the future of Mozambique, or of the Church and of humanity. You are their present.” He emphasized unity among the youth, referencing the nation’s love for soccer and the need for teamwork. He also stressed the importance of protecting Mozambique’s hard-won peace.
After addressing Mozambique’s youth, Pope Francis spoke to priests, bishops, and other religious men and women at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Maputo. He encouraged those gathered to remain steadfast in their faith, to overcome worldly weariness and worries, and instead “let our weariness come from things that bear fruit in God’s eyes.”
On September 6, Pope Francis visited Zimpeto Hospital in Maputo to offer words of comfort to patients, especially those diagnosed with HIV and AIDS. Mozambique has one of the highest rates of HIV in the world, with 11.5 percent of its population infected. In addition to offering comfort, Pope Francis also celebrated the valiant efforts of healthcare workers. He applauded them for being “Good Samaritans” and “restoring dignity to women and children, and helping to point them towards a better future.”
Pope Francis concluded his visit to Mozambique by celebrating the Holy Mass at Zimpeto Stadium. Despite the rainy weather, the stadium was overflowing with believers. Pope Francis encouraged those present to remain united and put aside past conflicts. Later that day he departed from Mozambique and arrived at Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, to begin the second leg of his apostolic journey.
On September 7, Pope Francis met with Madagascar’s president, prime minister, and other government officials. In his address, he drew upon the notion of fihavanana, a Malagasy word meaning peace, unity, and goodwill among individuals. He also stressed the importance of preserving Madagascar’s biodiversity. The island country has long suffered from deforestation, losing 80 percent of its forests since the late 19th century. Such destruction is devastating for Madagascar’s rich catalog of species, most of which are endemic to the nation.
On September 8, Pope Francis addressed the people of Akamasoa, the “City of Friendship.” The town was built under the direction of Fr. Pedro Opeka, a former student of the pope. The community offers education, healthcare, and employment to the impoverished people of Antananarivo. According to Francis, the “plea for help…has turned into a song of hope.” He encouraged those gathered to “never stop fighting the baneful effects of poverty; never yield to the temptation of settling for an easy life or withdrawing into yourselves.”
Pope Francis’ final visit in Madagascar was to the Collège de Saint Michel, an educational institution founded by Jesuit missionaries in the late 19th century. He emphasized the importance of being good disciples, as well as the importance of praise: “Praise frees disciples from obsessing about ‘what ought to be done.’ Praise restores our enthusiasm for mission.”
The final leg of Pope Francis’ journey was spent in Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean. Pope Francis arrived at the nation’s capital, Port Louis, on September 9. He celebrated Mass at the Monument to Queen Mary of Peace, which rests atop a mountain overlooking the city and sea. During his homily, Pope Francis addressed the suffering of the nation’s youth due to economic struggles and encouraged hope and certainty in God’s victory. Roughly a quarter of the nation’s population identify as Catholic.
On September 10, Pope Francis boarded his return flight to Rome, thus concluding his weeklong apostolic journey. This was his fourth visit to the continent since his papacy began in 2013.
Quentin is studying biology at Boston College. He enjoys spending his time outdoors, whether it be hiking, camping, or canoeing. His other favorite pastimes include running, writing for The Torch, eating obscene amounts of chocolate, and crushing his opponents at Catan.
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