http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/638115-speaker-kadaga-receives-blessings-from-pope.html
Publish Date: Dec 13, 2012
By Nsimbe Kasim
VATICAN - Pope Benedict XVI has given blessings to Uganda Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga during a mass attended by thousands of pilgrims at the Vatican.
Kadaga who led a delegation of Ugandan legislators to the Vatican expressed delight at meeting the Pope and visiting St Peter’s Basilicca.
“I think this is a moment that cannot be repeated. We have been reading about him, hearing stories about St.Peter’s Basilica but now we are here physically.
“I think it is something that I will remember all my life. It’s a very great moment and I thank God for this opportunity,” she said minutes after meeting the Pope.
The Speaker dedicated to all Ugandans readings from the book of St.Mark which the Pope quoted in several languages during the Vatican mass.
She handed over to the Pope a portrait of the Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo, a historical place where Christians were murdered because of their allegiance to their faith.
MPs Paula Turyahikayo, Elijah Okupa, Abdu Katuntu, Betti Amongi, and Chris Baryomunsi who accompanied the Speaker were also delighted by the golden moment, noting that their faith had been renewed by the Pope’s blessings.
MP Abdu Katuntu – a Muslim – called the Vatican visit one of his most memorable moments.
“For a Muslim like me, this has been a very exciting experience to be in the Holy See and attending mass with the Holy Father,” he said. “This is an experience to remember.”
During the service, the Pope launched his Twitter account and sent his first message in several languages to millions of online followers.
"Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart," the Pope wrote.
The Ugandan delegation was in Rome to attend the 7th Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the International Criminal Court and the World Parliamentary Conference on Human Rights.
PRIME MINISTER MBABAZI MEETS POPE
BENEDICT XVI
7th December 2012
Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi has met Pope Benedict XVI, becoming the first Ugandan Prime Minister to do so in an official capacity at the Vatican in Rome, Italy.
The meeting was during the Papal Audience held in the Audience Hall on Wednesday. Mbabazi was accompanied by the Senior Presidential Advisor on General Duties and Chairperson of the NRM National Women’s League who is also his wife, Jacqueline Mbabazi.
The State Minister for Tourism and Wildlife, Agnes Akiror, the Charge d’Affaires at Uganda’s Embassy in Rome, Dr Mumtaz Kassam, the Deputy Executive Director of Uganda Investment Authority, Tom Buringuriza and other senior government officials were also on the delegation.
The hall was full of pilgrims from different countries when Mbabazi and his wife were ushered onto the first row seats which had been reserved for them. Other members of the Ugandan entourage had seats reserved in the second and third rows.
Mbabazi, who was in Italy to woo investors and visit the Vatican on his five-day state visit, first paid a courtesy call on the Vatican’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti at his office.
At about 10:30am, the audience went wild when the Pontiff emerged onto the podium, waving briefly and saying quiet prayers.
He sat through for more than an hour, and read his speech in seven languages, punctuated by prayers, singing, a brief homily and blessings, all in the different languages.
The Papal Audience is a time for pilgrims and visitors to greet and listen to the Pope on appointment every Wednesday. Mbabazi received a gift from the Pontiff who also gave a Rosary to Mrs Mbabazi. Mbabazi and his wife donated a gift to His Holiness.
Later the entourage was led out of the hall through a door only reserved for cardinals.
Mbabazi Meets Pope Benedict XVI
http://www.chimpreports.com/index.php/people/7336-mbabazi-meets-pope-benedict-xvi.html
By
12/12/2012 13:06:00
Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi has met Pope Benedict XVI
at Vatican City, Rome.
The Premier invited several investors to consider
making considerable investments in Uganda in the areas of energy,
banking and agro processing.
He cited the favourable
political climate and high economic growth levels in the country as incentives
for investment.
Speaking to press
on Tuesday, Mbabazi said he was “overwhelmed” by Italian investors’ willingness
to commit their resources in Uganda.
It remains unclear what
Mbabazi discussed with the Pope.
The Prime Minister was
flanked by his wife Jacqueline.
