Pope celebrates first Holy Mass in Africa with calls for family unity

chika ebuzor

November 27, 2015 4:50 AM

The Pope also used his homily to call for respect for the environment, saying sources of water, which give life to humanity, needed protection.

Pope Francis waves as he boards a plane at Fiumicino Airport in Rome November 25, 2015. REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito

Pope Francis on Thursday called for respect for women and family values when he led thousands of Christians in celebrating his first Holy Mass in Kenya.

The Pope spread the gospel, calling for deep respect for the elderly and love for children during his homily, which also focused on the need to preserve family unity.

“Our faith calls for us to defend the dignity of the men and women for the good of the family.

“In obedience to God, we have to resist the practices that demean women and threaten the life of the innocent unborn," the Pope said.

He expressed his sadness at the growing levels of desertification.

On security matters, the Pope said universities, at the heart of formation of students and youths, must guide the youths to building inclusive societies.

He regretted that radicalisation of the youths was tearing the society apart and called on religious leaders to speak more against radicalisation of the youths.

He called on everyone to contribute to the creation of a better, inclusive and tolerant society as he was more concerned about the growing threat of terrorism.

The Papal Mass was celebrated by roughly a crowd of 250,000 pilgrims in Nairobi.

chika ebuzor