Pope embarks on landmark Africa trip

ON BOARD THE PAPAL PLANE, Holy See: Pope Francis was flying to Kenya on Wednesday on the first leg of a landmark trip to Africa that is fraught with security fears and faces possible disruption by torrential rain.
The 78-year-old pontiff, the third pope to visit the continent, is also scheduled to visit Uganda and strife-torn Central African Republic (CAR) before flying back to Rome on Monday.
Against the backdrop of recent Jihadist attacks, more than 10,000 police will be deployed in both the Kenyan and Ugandan capitals while the CAR leg of the tour could yet be curtailed or cancelled depending on security conditions in a country that has been wracked by sectarian conflict of late.
Greeting reporters on his plane, Francis said he was delighted to be making his first visit to Africa. "I go with joy to meet Kenyans, Ugandans and our brothers in Central Africa," he said.
And he played down fears for his safety by joking: "I’m more worried about the mosquitoes."
Ugandan police spokesman Fred Enanga said airforce surveillance planes would be deployed "to ensure our skies are clear of any possible threat. The security is going to be heavy."
A packed schedule will see the Pope visit a Nairobi slum, a shrine to Christian martyrs in Uganda and both a mosque and a refugee camp in CAR. A total of 19 speeches will include a major statement on the environment ahead of the Paris climate change summit.
Francis was due in Nairobi at around 5:00 pm (1400 GMT). Vast crowds are anticipated in the Kenyan capital for his public appearances with Thursday having been declared a public holiday.