Pope Francis Visit to Kenya: Photos of  six top highlights:  With Pope Francis scheduled to visit the country on 25th-27th November; preparations are high gear in  readiness to hosting the second pope to set foot on the Kenyan soil. The last visit was paid by the  equally popular Pope John Paul II in 1995, who like his successor 20 years later, engaged then President  Daniel Arap Moi on various issues of importance to the country. Moving on to the present, Pope  Francis’s visit is seen as both a state and pastoral visit that will see him celebrate mass with the faithful,  address the diplomatic community, hold talks with the president as well as meet, interact and offer indelible words of wisdom to the youth. Jovago.com has listed some of the highlights from the Papal itinerary that is expected to attract more than a million pilgrims into the country:

 

The National Address
The Pope is expected to address the nation on the first day of his visit. Pope Francis has been voted as  the most popular person as well as Person of the Year by a couple of leading publications such as Time Magazine. Popularly referred to as the man of the people Pope Francis has transcended the pomp of the papacy to fit in with his flock. Just like the Saint Francis of Assisi was adored for his humility, the Pope has a following definitely eager for his message. He will be received by Cardinal Njue and President  Uhuru Kenyatta at the Jomo Kenyatta International airport.

 

 

Talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta

Kenyatta will be playing host to Pope Francis. Sources have it that among the agenda at hand, the Pope’s  key message on climate change is a priority. This discussion will come in handy; at a time when Kenya is  up against time on El Nino preparedness. More on the list include talks on religious tolerance in the country as well as peace, poverty eradication and inclusivity.

 

The 1 000,000+ Celebration of Mass at Uhuru Park
Uhuru Park is the city’s de facto holding grounds for open-air multitudes. Pope Francis is expected to hold a mass on the 26th of November that will attract more than a million of vetted and verified congregants chosen from the country’s apostolic centers as well as institutions and congregational centers.

 

Inter-Religious Meeting
Very expected of his character, Pope Francis is set to address an inter-religious gathering in the Nuncio’s; the pope’s representative and residence. Scheduled for this papal convention are key religious  leaders from different faiths and religions intent on pushing for respect to humanity and coexistence.

Since his election as head of Vatican, Pope Francis has been known to foster religious tolerance in all his messages and communication.

 

Pope Visits Kangemi Slums
He went on record as the first to turn down the papal palace for ordinary living in the Vatican residence with the rest of his cardinals. Again, the Pope popularly known for his who I m I to judge attitude has from time to time exhibited extraordinary acts of piety through dining with the poor, embracing the suffering as well as housing the desolate. This time, the Pope will pay a visit to St. Joseph the Worker  Catholic Community Center in Nairobi’s third biggest slum Kangemi. He is expected to interact with the residents as well as inspect some of the church’s community projects.

 

Youth Address at Kasarani Safaricom Stadium

And just before he waves his zucchetto in farewell on his way to Uganda, the Pope will have a few words of wisdom with about 200,000 youth at the Kasarani Safaricom Stadium on the third and final day of his visit. Although his bulletin for the event is not clear, it’s likely that he will be seeking to address such issues as unity, tolerance and respect for humanity; all important issues following the recent string of terrorist attacks in the country.