Pope Francis honors Ugandan Christian martyrs

NAMUGONGO, Uganda — Pope Francis on Saturday honored Uganda’s 19th century Christian martyrs and encouraged its 21st century Christian youths during a day that saw nearly a half-million Ugandans turn out to see the pontiff before he heads to Central African Republic for the final leg of his African journey.

The welcome at each of Francis’ many stops was as enthusiastic as he has ever received: Pilgrims camped out overnight under rain showers to score a spot for his morning Mass at the site of Uganda’s most famous shrine. And some 150,000 young people gave him a rock star’s welcome when he arrived in his popemobile for a pep rally.

At each venue, Francis sought to remind Ugandans of their strong Christian roots — the former British colony is 47 percent Catholic and 36 percent Anglican — and to apply their faith to today’s challenges.

“Remember, you are a people of martyrs,” he said. “In your veins runs the blood of martyrs, and for this reason you have such a strong faith.”

Francis began the day with a Mass before an estimated 300,000 people honoring the 45 Anglican and Catholic martyrs who were burned alive rather than renounce their faith during an anti-Christian persecution in the late 1800s.

At the Namugongo shrine, the site of their execution, Francis urged today’s faithful to use the martyrs’ example to be missionaries at home by taking care of “the elderly, the poor, the widowed and the abandoned.”

Later, Francis headlined a giant pep rally at an unused airstrip. Once again when surrounded by young people, he ditched his prepared speech and spoke from the heart in the casual, conversational style he is known for.

He heard from a young woman, Winnie Nansumba, who was born HIV-positive and lost her parents before she turned 7. She suffered from depression but now is an activist promoting abstinence before marriage and monogamy in wedlock. Francis also heard from Emmanuel Odokonyero, who was abducted by Uganda’s brutal Lord’s Resistance Army and was held captive and tortured for three months before he escaped. He later got a university degree.

Francis told them that faith can help them overcome all of life’s difficulties.

“Overcome difficulties, transform the negative into positive, and pray,” Francis told the crowd.

Francis is expected to shift message to pressing geopolitical concerns when he arrives Sunday in Bangui, Central African Republic, where deadly violence between Christians and Muslims has flared recently despite the presence of a U.N. peacekeeping force.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.