Pope Francis' historic visit to Africa has reached its final leg, with the pontiff arriving at one of the region's most turbulent areas, the Central African Republic's capital, Bangui, on Sunday. The pope is expected to stay in the city, which is widely considered an active war zone, for two days before flying back to the Vatican, according to CNN.
The area has been rife with escalating violence since a Muslim rebel group overthrew President François Bozizé, a Christian, back in 2013. Since that time, Christian and Muslim militias have clashed violently, leaving numerous people dead or homeless. In the past two months alone, The Human Rights Watch has stated that about 100 people have already been killed in relation to the conflict.
The conflict has been so potent in the region, even Pope's Francis' visit did not completely curb the violence in the area. Just as the pope's airplane touched down on Sunday, two men were reported to have been killed in a Muslim enclave that the pontiff is scheduled to visit on Monday, reports The New York Times.
Undeterred, Pope Francis still opted to travel along Bangui's potholed roads in his partially open popemobile, waving to an adoring crowd as he passed by. United Nations peacekeepers were deployed to protect the pope as well, while a helicopter circled overhead.
During his first mass in the region, Pope Francis appealed for peace. "To all those who unjustly use weapons in this world, I appeal: Put down your weapons of death; arm yourselves instead with justice, love, mercy and authentic guarantees of peace."
The pope is also scheduled to visit a mosque in the area, sending a powerful message of religious tolerance in the conflict-ridden country.
For more world news, click here.
