Pope Francis in Africa: What can (should) you expect!

It is hard to substantiate what a papal visit can achieve but still a worthwhile exercise to undertake so that we can form some idea as to its benefits. What is already known even before the plane carrying Pope Francis touched down on Mandela’s continent is that we are welcoming a much loved, simple and people’s Pope. Africa then gets a chance to showcase its long held traditions of hospitality to their esteemed guest on his first travel to the continent.

Just those simple facts alone are enough to send the hearts of millions racing with excitement. But when the now St. John Paul II once visited the then Zaire, that bubble of excitement soon burst as the country plunged further into the chaos that is now the DRC. Not that it is the Pope’s fault but one struggles to capture the legacy of such a trip.

Excitement and a feeling of hope are certainly needed to a continent and countries that have been hit by extremist terrorist attacks (Kenya), torn to pieces by war (Central African Republic), and stuck in a protracted civil war with regional consequences (Uganda). With that troublesome décor, expect calls for religious tolerance, peace, unity and development that would benefit the poor to hit the ears of those who would not have otherwise listened had the pope said all those things without leaving the Vatican. But the thing is the Pope can say all those things from the Vatican and his message would have reverberated around the world. He does not even have to fly down South to mount an attack on the West for not distributing wealth equally and not caring about the environment. He has already got that under his belt by being already loved by Africans and putting out an encyclical (Laudato Si’) where he weaves a tapestry of climate change and Theology. So, making the financially costly and security risky trip must have much more tangible effects for Africa whether planned or a spontaneous equivalent of the former US speaker of the house of representatives who was reduced to tears as the pope addressed the chamber during his recent trip to Uncle Sam’s country and the aftermath is common knowledge!

Beyond Africa’s cultural hospitality that can be put on display by the Catholic hierarchy and the spiritual rejuvenation/revival that would only benefit a specific denomination, Pope Francis as an influential head of state cannot hand the prospect of changing lives in concrete terms to the fortuitous acts of the Holy Spirit in places where the religious and non-religious hold expectations of him.

To many, Pope Francis is the only man after Nelson Mandela who can walk into your house and tell you to get rid of one or two visible cobwebs in your crib and you thank him for pointing that out. Now, I will refrain from advancing a shopping list of all the things that need fixing here and there. However, it is worth noting that just south of the border from Kenya, there is a movement picking up pace. At the end of his two constitutionally terms of office, Tanzania has been blessed with a newly elected president who is sealing the deal with his people by dramatically cancelling official parties, reducing foreign travels of countless officials to save money and spend it on the needs of the people. What deals will Pope Francis seal with his hosts then: will he address tribalism and corruption issues in Kenya; convince some regional leaders to capitulate and relinquish power; and vow to never take up arms against each other? Or will it just be a matter of mopping up the Roman Catholic household and drafting in new wave of Catholic recruits?

Whatever would be the outcome of this papal visit, no one can dispute the fact that this Pope can almost do nothing and his smile alone will awaken something in people that no other human possible can. So, let miracles that leave nothing to chances happen!