(ANSA) - Antananarivo, Pope Francis touched down on Malagasy
soil just after 4pm local time on Friday 6 September.
The Pope's 31st Apostolic Journey abroad sees him visiting
the people and the Church of Mozambique, Madagascar and
Mauritius.
After wrapping up the first leg of his journey in Mozambique
with the celebration of Holy Mass in a packed stadium in the
capital, Maputo, the Pope bade farewell to the people urging
them to continue to pursue reconciliation and peace.
In Madagascar, he was greeted at the airport by the President
and an official delegation. Two children in traditional dress
offered him flowers and crowds of faithful expressed their joy
at his arrival.
The visit begins in earnest on Saturday morning as the Pope
pays a courtesy visit to political authorities at the
Presidential Palace, addresses authorities, diplomats and
leaders of civil society and then goes on to recite the midday
prayer at a Carmelite Monastery.
During his first full day in the country, Pope Francis is
also scheduled to meet with Madagascar's bishops and visit the
tomb of the Blessed Victoire Rasoamanarivo, before wrapping up
the day with young people.
On Sunday, he will celebrate Holy Mass in Antananarivo and
visit the so-called "City of Friendship" in Akamasoa founded by
Missionary priest, Pedro Opeka.
On Monday, 9 September, the Holy Father will fly to the
Indian Ocean Island of Mauritius for the third and final leg of
his journey.
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