Pope celebrates giant Mass in voodoo heartland

COTONOU—Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass at a stadium hosting tens of thousands in the voodoo heartland of Benin on Sunday, wrapping up a visit that saw him sign off on a grand vision for his church’s future in Africa.

Some 50,000 people filled the stadium in Cotonou, the economic capital of Benin, a country considered both a center of voodoo and a bastion of Catholicism – and where the two religions often mix.

Officials estimated another 30,000 people watched from outside the stadium, with the pope projected on to giant screens.

Benedict arrived in his popemobile to a joyous welcome from the faithful, many wearing skirts or wraps with his picture. The 84-year-old pope received warm cheers when he took a baby in his arms.

Ahead of his arrival, the crowd applauded each time the sun appeared from behind the clouds, some crying out, “Jesus!”

Benedict told the crowd that they should work toward reconciliation in the face of conflict.

“Dear brothers and sisters of Africa, this land which sheltered the holy family, may you continue to cultivate Christian family values,” he said.

“At a time when so many families are separated, in exile, grief-stricken as a result of unending conflicts, may you be artisans of reconciliation and hope.”

The Mass capped a three-day visit by the pontiff to the West African nation, his second trip to the continent, before his departure later Sunday.

On Saturday, he signed off on a roadmap for the Roman Catholic Church in Africa at a basilica in the city of Ouidah, a center of voodoo, with the Temple of Pythons and its 30-odd snakes just across the street.

The document – an apostolic exhortation called “The Pledge for Africa” containing conclusions from a 2009 synod of African bishops – includes peace, reconciliation and justice as its main message.

He handed the roadmap over to bishops from throughout the continent on Sunday.

It calls for good governance, the abolition of the death penalty and denounces abuses, particularly against women and children, while describing AIDS as a mainly ethical problem that requires a medical response.

Changes in behavior are needed to combat the disease, including sexual abstinence and rejection of promiscuity, it adds.

The Catholic Church’s position on AIDS and the use of condoms has long been controversial and carefully scrutinized, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, home to nearly 70 percent of the world’s HIV cases.

Benedict singled out those suffering with AIDS or other illnesses during Sunday’s Mass, expressing solidarity with them.

The pontiff’s visit to the country has been heavy in symbolism, in a region that served as a major slave-trading center and coming 150 years after what is considered the evangelization of Benin by missionaries.

Slaves departing from Ouidah and elsewhere took their traditional voodoo beliefs with them and transplanted them in the Americas.

Benedict’s visit also occurred with the Church facing a major challenge from evangelical movements that have made huge gains on the continent, attracting hundreds of thousands of followers.

At the same time, Africa also has the world’s fastest-growing number of Catholics.

In a speech on Saturday, Benedict denounced corruption, warning it could lead to violent upheaval, and called on African leaders not to rob citizens of hope.

“At this time, there are too many scandals and injustices, too much corruption and greed, too many errors and lies, too much violence which leads to misery and to death,” he said at Benin’s presidential palace.

“These ills certainly afflict your continent, but they also afflict the rest of the world. Every people wishes to understand the political and economic choices which are made in its name. They perceive manipulation and their revenge is sometimes violent.”