Pope on security threats: ‘I’m more afraid of the mosquitos’

Pope Francis has arrived in Kenya for his first ever visit to the continent, a whirlwind pilgrimage to three African nations.

The Alitalia jetliner carrying the Pope and his entourage aboard arrived this afternoon at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.

Francis was received by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Nairobi governor Evans Kidero and others amid singing by traditional dance groups.

The Pope is also scheduled to visit Uganda and the Central African Republic, which will mark the first time a Pope has flown into an active armed conflict.

Asked en route to Kenya if he was concerned about security risks, the pope quipped: “I’m more afraid of the mosquitos.”

Francis describes himself as a messenger of peace to a continent scarred by conflicts and extremist attacks.

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