Pope Francis In Africa, to Remember Christian Martyrs at Uganda Mass

Posted by African Examiner African News, Featured, Latest Headlines Saturday, November 28th, 2015

Pope Francis will pay his respects to Ugandan Christians martyred for their faith in the 19th Century on the latest stage of his trip to Africa.

Up to two million people are expected at an open-air Mass at Namugongo, near Kampala, where many of the 45 Anglican and Catholic martyrs were burned alive.

Their execution was ordered by a king worried about Christianity’s spread.

Saturday’s Mass will mark the 50th anniversary of the canonisation of the Catholic martyrs.

Thousands of pilgrims spent the night holding a vigil near the martyrs’ shrines and early on Saturday many more were streaming into the sanctuary, ready for the Pope’s arrival.

Pope Francis is due to pray first at a shrine for 23 Anglican martyrs and then at another shrine marking the spot where another 22 Catholics were killed.

BBC