THE POPE VISIT TO UGANDA

Image 0 - Pope Francis waves upon arrival for his first papal visit to the African Continent as head of the Catholic Church at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Image 2 - Crowds along Entebbe Road wave at Pope Francis in the Kia Soul that is using as his means of transportation in Uganda.

Image 3 - Pope Francis met with the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II and Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda on Saturday at the residence of Kampala Archbishop Dr. Cyprian Lwanga in Lubaga. Pope Francis prayed for the Kabaka and his queen. He also presented to them bibles and rosaries.

Image 4 - People hold Uganda's flag and an image of Pope Francis during the pope's visit to the Munyonyo shrine in Kampala, Uganda Nov. 27.

Image 5 - Pope Francis in a procession with the bishops at Namugongo.  Pope Francis has called on Christians to emulate the work and character of the Uganda martyrs killed between 1885 and 1887.  The pontiff says the honour of the martyrs who were burned live for refusing to forsake their faith, should be enshrined in daily life in the homes, work places and the in the farthest corners of the world.  While celebrating an open-air mass at the Uganda Martyrs catholic shrine in Namugongo today morning, Francis said “the legacy of the martyrs is not only served by occasional remembrance (June 3), or by being enshrined in a museum as a precious jewel.”

Image 6 - Pope Francis waves to crowds at Kololo Airstrip. 

Image 7 - Pope Representative to Uganda, Michael August Blume (L) with Arch Bishop Kizito Lwanga (R) after addressing a media on Pope Francis' visit to Uganda at Catholic Secretariat October 19, 2015

Image 8 - Nakiyanja is a few kilometres away from the Catholic Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo. It is the exact place where most of the martyrs were killed on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga was also visited by the Pope.

Image 10 - Pope Francis leading mass this morning at the Uganda Martyrs Shrine,Namugongo.  Pope Francis in a historical mass he celebrated today at the Uganda Martyrs Shrines in Namugongo  has reminded power-thirsty leaders that world power have not brought lasting joy to anyone. In the same vein, the reigning Pope known for his simplicity which he demonstrated by riding in a simple car, reminded pleasure-thirsty Ugandans how their efforts in acquiring the same will always come to naught.  Instead the Pope preached, it is fidelity to God, honesty and integrity as well as genuine concern for others which bring peace.

Image 11 – At Kololo Pope Francis blessed Winnie Nansumba, 24 who testified to have been born with HIV/AIDS.  Pope Francis has in his message to the young people in Uganda emphasized the importance of prayer in overcoming their life difficulties.  In reference to testimonies presented at the meeting he held with thousands of youths at Kololo Independence grounds, some of whom have miraculously healed from HIV /AIDS, he said; “there’s always an opening of a new future through Jesus. He experienced the most negative things, he was insulted, rejected and murdered but he rose.”  The Pontiff told the thousands of youths who met him with deafening ululations that they should rely on Jesus to transform their burdens into positives, hate to love and war to peace.

Image 12 – Pope at Nalukolongo: Thank you for your warm welcome.  I wanted very much to visit this House of Charity, which Cardinal Nsubuga founded here in Nalukolongo.  This is a place which has always been associated with the Church’s outreach to the poor, the handicapped, the sick.  Here, in early times, slave children were ransomed and women received religious instruction.  I greet the Good Samaritan Sisters who carry on this fine tradition, and I thank them for their years of quiet and joyful service in this apostolate.

Image 13 - Pope Francis kneels in prayer during his visit at the Anglican martyrs' shrine of Namugongo, Kampala, Uganda, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015.