The government targets to complete all preparations ahead of Pope Francis’ visit by Tuesday next week. Speaking yesterday after touring the University of Nairobi grounds, St Mary’s School and St Joseph-the worker, Kangemi Parish, acting Lands Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i emphasised the importance of the Pope’s visit saying the government is fully prepared.
“The Papal visit is very important to the government and the Office of the President has instructed that all details are captured to ensure the event goes as planned. The works department in the Lands ministry are the main coordinators of the facilities that will be used by the Pope,” he said.
According to the official Vatican itinerary, Pope Francis will arrive in Nairobi on November 25 and leave on 27. At the University of Nairobi, a Papal Altar is under construction where the Pope will lead Holy Mass from 10a.m on November 26.
While declining to disclose the total cost of the altar, Matiang’i said it will remain an important feature to remind Kenyans of the of the Pope’s visit.
“The construction is permanent because the Pope is not an ordinary visitor and the resources we are using are not too much an inconvenience because the work is not being paid by exchequer resources only but by donations of well wishers and funds from the Catholic Church,” he said.
At St Mary’s school, where Pope Francis will meet the clergy, religious men and women, and seminarians at the school’s athletics field at 3.45 pm after the leading the Holy Mass, water drainage has been looked into and electricity poles erected.
At St Joseph-the worker, Kangemi Parish, Matiang’i said a crucial meeting will be held to discuss the road infrastructure, noting that there will be concrete barriers at the entrance of the church where all the guests and faithful will be thoroughly screened.
Chair of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Philip Anyolo said 1,200 people are expected to meet the Pope on November 27 for special blessings, which will be final day in the country.
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