{Right from the junction that joins Kabusu and Nalukolongo, both Kampala suburbs, crowds anxiously waited, occasionally humming hymns. Meanwhile, vendors snaked through, selling branded merchandise bearing photographs of Pope Francis.
In the baking afternoon sun, the crowd was steadfast, vowing to leave the area only after they had seen the Holy Father pass by. The Pontiff was scheduled to pass by two hours later.
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A stone throw away, security outfits were strictly checking every one entering the Mapeera Bakateyamba’s Home – Nalukolongo.
Inside, the choir, Good Samaritan Sisters, was singing hymns. Several guests were already positioned in their seats. Some of them were disabled men, women, children and elderly-vulnerable groups. The smiles on their faces were genuine.
Unlike all other venues which Pope Francis visited, the Bakateyamba’ Home is comparatively small so the guest list was kept small. It was the Holy Father’s request that this home for the destitute, founded in 1978, be included on his itinerary in Uganda.
Finally, the popemobile made its way to the venue. The Pontiff started his visit to the charity home by stopping for a moment of prayer in the chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Africa. He was then escorted to the tomb of Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga, who set up the centre.
The address
In his address, Pope Francis applauded the Good Samaritan Sisters for their remarkable services here. He appealed to all communities not to forget about the poor but to “to go out to the peripheries of society” to find Christ amid the suffering.
“How sad it is when our societies allow the elderly to be rejected or neglected or when the young are exploited by the modern-day slavery of human trafficking. This is a place which has always been associated with the church’s outreach to the poor, the handicapped, the sick,” he said.
“As Christians, we cannot simply stand by. Something must change. Our families need to become ever more evident signs of God’s patient and merciful love, not only for our children and elders, but for all those in need.
“Dear friends, by simple gestures…, we can bring the power of His love into our world… Mukama Abakuume! (God protect you!), he ended his address.
The Pontiff then left for Rubaga Cathedral where he met with priests and seminarians. Here, he highlighted three essential points for the clergy – memory, fidelity, prayer – and seeking to strengthen the Christian faith in the country.
SOURCE:DAILY MONITOR:[Don’t forget the poor, says Pope Francis->http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Don-t-forget-the-poor–says-Pope-Francis/-/688334/2977514/-/udpelz/-/index.html]
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