"Instead, Africa is full of life," he recalled during his return trip from Madagascar.
From Sept. 4 -10, Pope Francis visited three countries in Africa: Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius.
French Fr. Laval evangelized the indigenous of the island in the 19th century.
He reminded them that "you cannot wait until everything around is favorable to live the Gospel."
They created an intricate choreography to welcome him to Akamasoa, the city built on dumpsters.
He presided over a youth vigil, in which the young people dedicated beautiful dances to him.
The pope prayed before the tomb of the first Blessed native of the country.
“Worldliness is not one of you,” said the pope.
Pope Francis invites the Malagasy people to take charge of its own development.
It's one of the poorest countries in the world, affected by hunger and diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy.
Thanks to Sant'Egidio Community and the DREAM project, more than 100,000 children are now AIDS free.
During a packed Mass, he asked Catholics to forgive and reconcile with concrete facts.
The rain couldn't stop these locals from expressing their joy at seeing the pope.
He met thousands of priests and religious, and invited them to renew their surrender to God.
“You have refused to let human relationships be governed by vengeance or repression, or to allow hatred and violence to have the final word,” he said.
He was received with honors and energetic traditional dances.
