By Dilrukshi Handunnetti
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka
Pope Francis called upon all Sri Lankans on Tuesday to derive strength from all religious traditions existing within the country to promote peace, solidarity, justice and unity.
Pope Francis, who arrived in Sri Lanka Tuesday morning, was received by Malcolm Cardinal Ranjit, President Maithripala Sirisena and others at the Bandaranaike International Airport.
A red carpet welcome was followed by a gun salute for the Pontiff.
Addressing the gathering, the pontiff, who arrived in Sri Lanka as part of his Asian tour, said that the high point of his visit would be the canonization of Rev. Joseph Vaz whose unparalleled Christian charity and cordiality with other communities was phenomenal.
“I am primarily here to meet and pray with you for this island’s peace and prosperity. I am also here to appeal to everyone, now that civil strife is over, to work towards reconciliation and help heal the wounds from the collective past,” Pope Francis said.
Calling for diversity, Pope Francis said diversity should not been seen as a threat and that it was essential to accept and respect one another to “overcome the bitterness of hostility.”
Delivering his welcome address, Sirisena said that he considered it an absolute blessing to have the honor of receiving the Pontiff within days of being elected as the island’s new president.
“Sri Lanka would seek to follow the example set by His Holiness in promoting reconciliation and religious harmony the world over,” he said.
Hundreds of thousands of people flocked alongside the road to catch a glimpse of the Pope as he travelled in an open glass-fronted vehicle from the airport to the capital, Colombo. The Pope blessed people along the way, especially children.
The Sri Lankan Council of Catholic Bishops will meet the Pope at the Archbishop's House in Colombo this afternoon.
Newly-elected President Maithripala Sirisena will receive the Pontiff at a special meeting at 5.00 p.m. (1130GMT) at the President's House in Colombo.
A key event of his visit will be the special address by the Pope at an inter-religious meeting that will get underway Tuesday evening at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo.
The Pope will conduct a Holy Mass and canonization of Joseph Vaz on Wednesday morning.
Canonization is when the Catholic Church declares a deceased person to be a saint. Joseph Vaz (1651-1711) was a missionary who is credited with reviving Catholicism on the island in the 17th century and he will become Sri Lanka’s first saint.
The Pontiff will be flown to the Madhu Church, located in the former war zone in northern Sri Lanka, by a special Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter on Wednesday afternoon.
He will conduct a Holy Mass and deliver a sermon at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary at Madhu.
