Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Pope Offers Message of Peace to Fragile Mozambique During Visit

Anita Powell

   MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE - Pope Francis was met by thousands of excited
   Mozambicans Wednesday -- including President Filipe Nyusi -- as he
   began his first papal visit to the southern African country. The
   pontiff says he brings a message of peace to the war-ravaged nation.

   The pope landed Wednesday night at Maputo's airport to a jubilant
   crowd. Many women wore capulanas -- traditional Mozambican cloth --
   printed with colorful images of Francis. Military bands played, and
   Nyusi escorted the pontiff to meet clergy and the youth as he
   disembarked.

   In a recorded message released ahead of his arrival, the pope addressed
   Mozambicans in the nation's dominant language, Portuguese.

.