More register to attend Pope Francis' mass in Nairobi

NYERI: Catholic faithful from 40 parishes within Nyeri will attend Pope Francis’ service that will be held at the University of Nairobi grounds.

At the same time, a number of priests, also from the archdiocese, have been booked to offer the Holy Communion during the service. The priests are this week scheduled to attend rehearsals ahead of the Pope’s visit.

Speaking to The Standard on Sunday, Father Peter Githinji of the Nyeri Archdiocese said hundreds of youths and other parishioners will attend the event. “We have been registering faithful who are willing to attend the event, and so far, 100 people will attend the youth conference where they will interact with the Pope,” said Father Githinji.

It is expected that more than 1,000 faithful from the 40 parishes within the archdiocese will attend the Papal mass at the UoN grounds.

Shown interest

Another batch of 800 faithful have also shown interest to attend the mass, although they will not go through the archdiocese.

“They will go on their own means, and we have information they have booked private vehicles, matatus and even buses belonging to schools,” said Githinji.

Githinji, who is also the chaplain of various tertiary institutions, said students from Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT), Kenya Medical Training Institute (KMTC) in Nyeri, Outspan Medical College and Consolata Nursing School in Mathari, Nyeri, will also attend.

Each of the institutions will send at least 30 students. “We are happy people from Nyeri are keen about Pope Francis’ visit and have indicated interest in attending the mass. We are very sure that more people will register with us while others will travel on their own,” said Githinji.