English/Nat The Pope continued his whistle-stop tour of Africa when he arrived in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Monday. Kenya is the last stop on the Pope's six-day, three-nation visit to Africa. He has emphasised a sense of hope for the continent, especially if the West stops selling it weapons and frees it from oppressive foreign debt. President Daniel Arap Moi and a number of high-ranking government officials were among the several thousand people on hand to greet the Pope at Nairobi's international airport. The country's Catholic community waited patiently for a view of their leader. Shortly after his arrival, the pontiff called on Africans to promote development which is not only economic and material but which would also create a civilisation of respect for all members of the society. President Moi welcomed the Pope to Kenya in a brief speech. Pope John Paul II brought a message of hope to Kenya, along with a caution against the evils of "ethnic, political and social divisions" affecting the nation. He told a welcoming airport crowd that Africans should strive for development that provides not only prosperity, but respect for human rights. He said that Africa is at a crossroads, with all Its peoples needing to work together in its development. The head of the Roman Catholic Church rode in a bullet-proof Mercedes Benz from the airport to the city centre and later held talks with President Moi at State House. In this, his third visit to Kenya in 15 years, the Pope arrived in a country where his church and the government have been increasingly at odds over human rights, corruption and political reform. However, not all Kenyans welcomed the Pope's visit. The Muslim community boycotted the welcome ceremony, claiming that his presence in predominately Muslim Africa was not welcome. SOUNDBITE: (English) "The Pope has a hidden agenda. But he would like to Christianise the continent which has been resided by Muslims - the majority of Muslims. And this hidden agenda has made Muslims to feel Pope has something to do with his visit in Africa." SUPERCAPTION: Imam Sheik Ali Shee, Imam of Jamia Mosque, Nairobi. The Pope's talks with President Moi were expected to touch on the delicate matter of the involvement of the church in politics. In a pastoral letter last year, Kenya's bishops said the country was sliding into totalitarianism, with a clique of politicians manipulating the system for personal gain. In April, the bishops issued another pastoral letter urging President Moi to change the present constitution because it fostered injustice, lawlessness and corruption. The government dismissed the claims and one cabinet minister threatened the bishops with arrest if they continued with their criticisms. The pontiff has been building on the theme that Africa, despite its unique history, customs and traditions, is an integral part of the worldwide church. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/b9946f9ca933de2c8f6269dfcf7fa933 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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