Pope Francis has called on Christians and Muslims to engage in an essential dialogue of peace in the face of religious radicalisation and “barbarous” attacks as he began the first full day of his three-nation trip to Africa.

The pope met a small group of faith leaders in Nairobi before a public open-air mass, attended by around a million people in the pouring rain.

Religion could never be used to justify violence, the pope told Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Jewish representatives. “All too often, young people are being radicalised in the name of religion to sow discord and fear, and to tear at the very fabric of society,” he said.

“How important it is that we be seen as prophets of peace, peacemakers who invite others to live in peace, harmony and mutual respect.”

Francis’s message of religious tolerance will resonate in Kenya, where there have been three major attacks in the past two years by the Somalia-based Muslim extremist organisation, al-Shabab. In April, more than 150 students – most of them Christians – at Garissa university, close to the Somali border, were killed. A month earlier, 12 people died in al-Shabab attacks in Mandera county, and in September 2013, at least 67 people died in an attack on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi.

The pope referred to all three episodes, saying he understood that memories were still fresh in people’s minds.

Francis’s first trip to Africa also takes in visits to Uganda and Central African Republic, where thousands of people have been killed in a conflict that has a strong religious dimension.

The pope’s interfaith meeting – the first of several during his six-day trip – was followed by an electric welcome at the rain-soaked university of Nairobi, where a massive crowd was joined by around 10,000 police amid tight security.

The usually staid proceedings of a Catholic mass were set aside as Francis’s first public appearance in the Kenyan capital turned into a festival of dance and singing, sometimes obscured by a sea of umbrellas.

Colourfully attired members of 12 choirs performed Kiswahili and English gospel tunes with an enthusiasm that brought a smile to the Pope’s face, and band leaders energetically waved the kayamba, a flat reed instrument that is popular in east Africa, to accompany the hymns. Masai tribesmen and traditional dancers performed before the pope.

Hundreds of thousands of Catholics – who make up around a third of Kenya’s 44 million population – had travelled to the university to catch a glimpse of the pontiff, with many lining up as early as 3am to secure a spot near the dais in the grounds.

Many others in a crowd estimated by police to be 1 million-strong, followed proceedings from large-screen TVs set up in several venues around the city, defying the driving rain.

“This is a pope that has really inspired me,” said Wambui Gitau, a 21-year-old college student. “He gives us hope and shows that despite the many challenges and problems that surround us, we can do something to change things.”

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http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/26/pope-francis-urges-dialogue-between-religions-on-first-day-of-african-tour

http://97.105.52.213/en/artical/19368/Pope-Dialogue-religions-essential