Musings From Abroad

Pope Francis apologises for cancelled Africa trip, regrets disappointing Sudanese, Congolese Catholics

Published

2 years ago

June 12, 2022

Catholic pontiff, Pope Francis, on Sunday, apologised to the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, over his cancelled visit to the two African countries because of his bad leg and walking problems, and said he was hopeful his condition would improve and he would still embark on the visit at a later date.

The Vatican had announced on Thursday that the visit which was scheduled for July 2-7 had been postponed indefinitely because of the 85-year-old pontiff’s knee ailment, which forced him to use a wheelchair for more than a month or manage to walk around with the help of aides.

The Vatican said the trip was postponed “in order not to jeopardize the results of the therapy that he is undergoing for his knee”.

Vatican officials had also said the Pope has been receiving several injections a week for the ailment, as well as physical therapy, and that he had hoped to be able to regain at least a partial ability to walk before the trip was due to start.

In an address before thousands of faithful at the St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Sunday, the Pope said he regretted disappointing the Sudanese and Congolese Catholics who were looking forward to the trip.

“I feel great regret that I had to postpone this trip, which I am still very keen to make.

“I ask you to pardon me for this. Let us pray together that with the help of God and with medical treatment, I can come to you as soon as possible. We are hopeful,” he said, directly addressing the people and authorities of both countries.

Referring to his ailment which is believed to be a torn ligament, as “problems with my leg”, Pope Francis said he also suffers from sciatica which caused him to limp even before the flare-up of the knee problem.

Related Topics:Apologies DR Congo Featured Pope Francis South Sudan

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Musings From Abroad

Brazilian meatpacker JBS invests $2.5 billion in Nigeria, builds six facilities

Published

1 hour ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Brazilian meatpacker JBS says it has inked a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian government for a $2.5 billion investment plan that will include the construction of six new plants in the African nation.

Three of the plants would deal in poultry, two in beef, and one in pork, according to a statement from JBS.

In accordance with the memorandum of understanding, JBS stated that it would develop a five-year investment plan in Nigeria, which would include budget estimates, feasibility studies, and an action plan for the development of the local supply chain.

The Nigerian government would then guarantee the sanitary, regulatory, and economic conditions required for the project’s viability, JBS continued.

Musings From Abroad

China’s Xi meets with Morocco’s Crown Prince

Published

1 hour ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Morocco’s official media reports that Chinese President, Xi Jinping, visited Morocco briefly on Thursday.

According to Morocco’s MAP, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan welcomed Xi in Casablanca. The visit demonstrated the close ties of camaraderie, collaboration, and solidarity between the Moroccan and Chinese peoples, it said.

China’s official broadcaster, CCTV, said that Xi and Hassan had a “cordial conversation” at the airport after being received by the Crown Prince and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.

After attending the G20 Summit in Brazil, Xi paid the visit.

In recent years, China has increased its investments in Morocco’s rail and infrastructure. Morocco is desirable for Chinese electric car battery manufacturers because of its proximity to Europe, free trade agreements with important EU and US markets, and an established automotive sector.

Morocco was chosen by Chinese EV battery company Gotion High Tech in June to establish Africa’s first gigafactory, which will cost $1.3 billion in total.