The Pope’s trip to Africa left a profound impact on a large number of people. And Pope Francis was particularly touched.

In Kenya, he urged goverments to make decisions that favour the planet and its people instead of special interests.

“It would be sad, and I dare say even catastrophic, were particular interests to prevail over the common good and lead to manipulating information in order to protect their own plans and projects.”

In Nairobi he held a massive encounter with young people, warning them about the danger of corruption in all parts of life:

“There is corruption not just in politics but in every institution, even in the Vatican. Corruption is something which creeps in. It’s like sugar: it’s sweet, we like it, its goes down easily. And then? We get sick! We come to a nasty end!”

The final stop of the Pope’s journey was the most delicate.

The Central African Repulic has been at war since 2013 and about a quarter of its five million inhabitants are internally displaced.

He told refugees: “I would like for everyone to say together, ‘We are all brothers’. And for that reason, because we are all brothers, we hopefor peace.”

Without a doubt one of the most emotional moments of the apostolic voyage was Pope Francis’s inauguration of the Jubilee of Mercyby opening the Holy Door at the Cathedralof Bengui.

He said: “Let us ask for peace! Now, all together, let us ask for love and peace. All together: Doyé Siriri! And with this prayer we now inaugurate the Holy Year, here, today, in this spiritual capital of the world!”

The Pope’s most persistent message during his visit to the Central African Republic was oneof peace. This is how he taught Central Africans to treat their enemies. “Can we love our enemies? Yes! Can we forgive those who do us wrong?

Yes! So, through love and forgiveness, you will be winners.”

Is this the message we all need at present?