Pope Francis Arrives Kenya in Landmark Trip to Africa (Photo)

 

 

Pope Francis arrived Kenya's capital Nairobi on Wednesday to kick off his first leg of a landmark trip to Africa.

 

He was greeted by huge crowds, choirs and dancers. The flags of both Kenya and the Vatican flew from the airplane's cockpit as it taxied to a stop, where Francis was met by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta with a red carpet welcome.

 

Francis, who will also visit Uganda and troubled Central African Republic (CAR) on a six-day trip, smiled and waved as he emerged from the airplane, and was greeted with cheers from excited crowds as he stepped onto Kenyan soil.

 

In his first speech on African soil, the pope is expected to address issues of inequality and intimate the huge crowd of people on the need to maintain peace in times of trouble.

 

Thousands of police and troops have been deployed with key roads closed in the capital Nairobi, to ensure the pontiff's visit is peaceful.