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Sister Mary: My encounter with Pope Francis at Kangemi
Pope Francis greets Sr Mary Killeen, the Director of Mukuru Promotion Centre, when he visited Kenya in November 2015.
What you need to know:
- We met in Kangemi as it was considered more safe and suitable for space and security than other densely populated slums.
- He praised us for our work, he spoke to and blessed some of our very vulnerable children and adults with mobility and other challenges.
I was very privileged to meet Pape Francis when he visited Kenya in November 2015. We were astonished and very happy when he insisted on meeting with residents of the informal sectors and those who work with them.
As I worked for many years in Mukuru I was selected to welcome and address him on behalf of those working in slums.
We met in Kangemi as it was considered more safe and suitable for space and security than other densely populated slums.
Pope Francis listens to remarks by Sr Mary Killeen of Mukuru Promotion Centre when he visited Kenya in November 2015.
He praised us for our work, he spoke to and blessed some of our very vulnerable children and adults with mobility and other challenges, and requested us not to give up in spite of the hardship we endure.
We felt noticed, loved and cared for.
He inspired us, encouraged us. We hope church and other leaders will be inspired by his life and compassion and take interest in the very poor and the needs they have.
We will miss him, and feel sad for his passing. We know he will continue to assist us from heaven.
We pray that his successor will walk in his footsteps.
May he rest in eternal peace and may his legacy live on.
Sr Mary Killeen, is the Director of Mukuru Promotion Centre (MPC)