Pope Francis to visit mosque in CAR capital Bangui

The Pope will meet Muslims who have sought shelter in Bangui after nearly three years of violence between Christians and Muslims.

Most Muslims have left the capital but 15,000 are left in an area called PK5 surrounded by armed Christian militia.

Pope Francis will conclude his visit to Africa with a final Mass in Bangui.

On Sunday, the Pope called on fighting factions in the CAR to lay down their weapons.

Celebrating Mass in Bangui, he said they should instead arm themselves "with justice, love, mercy and authentic peace".

Earlier, he said he hoped next month's election in the CAR would open a "new chapter" for the country.

The CAR has been torn apart by violence between Muslim rebels and Christian militias.

It is the pontiff's first visit to a conflict zone and the final stop on his landmark three-nation African tour.

Acting President Catherine Samba-Panza has asked him for "forgiveness" for the country's recent religious violence.

On Sunday, large crowds lined the road from the airport to welcome the Pope - and people cheered and sang when he arrived at a refugee camp.

In an address at the presidential palace, he called for unity and to avoid "the temptation of fear of others, of the unfamiliar, of what is not part of our ethnic group, our political views or our religious confession".

The Pope said ahead of his trip he was determined to bring a message of peace and hope to the country.

War has blighted the CAR for decades but it was only two years ago the fighting took on a religious form.

President Francois Bozize was ousted in a coup in March 2013 and a group of mostly Muslim rebels from the north, the Seleka, marched on Bangui, briefly taking control of the country.

(BBC)