Pope Francis has called for the pursuit of truth in Sri Lanka as he visits a country still grappling with the legacy of a long civil war. Crowds and ceremonial dancers welcomed the Pope as he arrived in Colombo. It is the first papal visit since the end of the war in 2009 that saw the army and Tamil rebels accused of atrocities. The countrys new president has promised an end to repression of religious minorities. Speaking on the tarmac of Colombos international airport, where he was met by the new leader, Maithripala Sirisena, the Pope said that peace could be found by cultivating those virtues which foster reconciliation, solidarity and peace. He said that the pursuit of truth was important, not for the sake of opening old wounds, but rather as a necessary means of promoting justice, healing and unity. Pope Francis wears a saffron robe during a multi-faith meeting in Sri Lanka Pope Francis donned a saffron robe at a multi-faith meeting, a Tamil sign of honour line At the scene: Yogita Limaye, BBC News All along the 20km (12 miles) highway leading up to the airport crowds gathered on both sides of the road to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis. Some opened up umbrellas, a few elderly brought portable seats along as they waited under the hot Colombo sun. Lalith and Therese Fernando, a couple from Chilau that is nearly 100km (60 miles) from here, took a train at 05:00 this morning to be here. Its a once in a lifetime opportunity, Lalith told me. line Pope Francis being greeted by the new Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena He was greeted on arrival by the new Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena He later told a meeting of religious leaders what is needed now is healing and unity, not further division and conflict. A motorcade drove Pope Francis into the centre of Colombo, past crowds and troupes of decorated elephants. Tired by the hot sun and late, he had to cancel a planned meeting with Sri Lankan bishops. But he later met President Sirisena at his official residence and attended the multi-faith meeting. On Wednesday he is celebrating a mass in Colombo where he will canonise Sri Lankas first saint, the 17th Century missionary Joseph Vaz. One million people are expected to attend. Later he will speak at prayers in Madhu in the north - a region which saw some of the fiercest fighting of the war. Pope Francis is in Asia on a six-day tour. He will next travel to the Philippines. Pope Francis arrives at the Bandaranaike International Airport on January 13, 2015 in Colombo, Sri Lanka Only 7 % of the population are Christians mostly Catholics .
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 23:44:29 +0000
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