Thousands hold vigil at Uganda shrine ahead of Pope led mass

Thousands spent the night in the open near a shrine for martyr’s in Uganda, where Pope Francis will lead mass for an expected million-plus faithful on Saturday (November 28).

Francis in In Africa for his first tour addressing the continent’s fast-growing Catholic population, which is expected to reach half a billion by 2050.

Uganda, which is about 40 percent Catholic, has hosted two Pontiff’s before but many here are excited about Pope Francis’ visit coming at a time when the country is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the canonization of martyrs executed by the Buganda king between 1885 and 1887.

“As Pope is coming I need also to celebrate with the people so that we enjoy a lot of things, a lot of blessings which has been brought to Uganda, for the martyr’s, so we need to be the blessing people here in Namugongo,” said Sam Oriema who slept on a mat outside the shrine.

“To encourage us to live our Christian faith heroically like the martyrs and even be ready to die for our faith, that is what we expect the Pope to tell us. Be courageous in living your faith,” said George Eunken, a priest.

“I am very grateful to reach Namugongo, this is my first time to come here. I am wondering for the church, Uganda martyrs… how they were killed? I wonder,” said Emmanuel Mperese.

The high point of the pope’s tour so far came earlier in Nairobi on Friday (November 27), where he scrapped a prepared script to address a packed stadium with the down-to-earth and spontaneous style that has endeared him to Catholics and others around the world.

Francis will stay in Uganda until Sunday (November 29), when he is due to travel to the war-torn Central African Republic – his final stop in Africa.