Pope urges peace in Central Africa Republic

Protected by the heaviest security ever seen on his trips, Pope Francis on Nov. 29 preached reconciliation in the divided Central African Republic, a nation racked by bloodshed between Muslims and Christians. 

"Work, pray, do everything for peace," he said at a camp in the capital Bangui housing nearly 4,000 people displaced by the violence.  "But remember, peace without love, friendship and tolerance is nothing. I hope that all Central Africans can see peace," he said. 

Before being mobbed by the crowd, he asked them all to shout out repeatedly in their native Songo language: "We are all brothers". 

Bangui, the capital of the former French colony, has seen a surge in clashes that have left at least 100 people dead since late September, according to Human Rights Watch. 

Pope Francis said he has come to Central African Republic as a "pilgrim of peace, an apostle of hope" and is encouraging the country to disarm and reconcile.

Tens of thousands of cheering people lined the route of his motorcade into the city and the presidential palace for a meeting with interim head of state Catherine Samba-Panza. 

"We absolutely need forgiveness because our hearts have been hardened by the forces of evil. We have lost the sincere love for others and we are henceforth anchored in intolerance, the loss of our values and the disorder that is the result," she told the pope. 

"We await your messages to free us from our fear of each other, to help us end our conflicts, to change our hearts and put us on the path to serenity, wisdom, brotherhood and peace," she said. 

Speaking slowly in French, he appealed for a "unity in diversity" that shuns divisions along political or religious lines.

Pope Francis said he...