Following the ecumenical and interreligious meeting, the Pope transferred to the University of Nairobi where he was awaited by around one million people. He celebrated Holy Mass in the same place as St. John Paul II during his trips to Africa in 1980, 1985 and 1995. “The Lord tells us that in the desert He will pour forth water on the thirsty land; He will cause the children of His people to flourish like grass and luxuriant willows. We know that this prophecy was fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. But we also see it fulfilled wherever the Gospel is preached and new peoples become members of God’s family, the Church. Today we rejoice that it was fulfilled in this land. Through the preaching of the Gospel, you too we have all become part of the great Christian family”.Francis commented that Isaiah’s prophecy invites us to look to our own families, and to realise how important they are in God’s plan. “Kenyan society has long been blessed with strong family life, a deep respect for the wisdom of the elderly and love for children”, he said. “The health of any society always depends on the health of its families. For their sake, and for the good of society, our faith in God’s word calls us to support families in their mission in society, to accept children as a blessing for our world, and to defend the dignity of each man and woman, for all of us are brothers and sisters in the one human family”.
Trending Now
