Catholic bishops express deep appreciation over historic Pope's visit

Catholic Bishops in Kenya have expressed deep appreciation for the three-day visit by Pope Francis.

The spiritual leaders said the visit by the Pontiff was a great honour for the church and Kenya at large.

Speaking on behalf of Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops during the Pope's inter-religious meeting, President of the Commission for Religious Dialogue religious leaders said the meeting would certainly cement unity between different faiths.

"I take this opportunity on behalf of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops to welcome you your Holiness to Kenya. It is a great honor to be in your presence. KARIBU Kenya," said Mons Kairo.

He told the Pontiff that Kenya has a very diverse religious background, observing that such a joint meeting was of great significance to religion not only in Kenya but to the world.

"Kenya as a country has a very diverse religious background with Christianity leading in numbers but with significant presence of Islam and other Religions thanks to the religious freedom provided in the Kenyan constitution," went on Kairo.

He spoke before introducing representatives from some of the main religious groups in the country.

Some of the notable groups represented in the symbolic meeting held on Thursday morning included African Traditionalists, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Jews, and Buddhists.

The Catholic Church also expressed their gratitude to the religious leaders who honoured the invitation.

"Dear friends, religious leaders, our guests, we are glad that you honored the invitation of the Holy Father and I welcome you all to this important encounter with the Holy Father. Feel at home," he said.

Some of the spiritual leaders who spoke during the meeting were Rev Eliud Wabukala, Arch Bishop, Anglican Church of Kenya and Professor Abdulghafur H. S. El –Busaidy, Chairman of SUPKEM.