Pope Francis begins Apostolic Journey to Mauritius

Pope Francis kicks off his one-day Apostolic Journey to Mauritius, flying from Madagascar to the island nation in the Indian Ocean.

Sep 09, 2019

The Pope’s visit on Monday to the Republic of Mauritius falls on the same day as the feast of Blessed Jacques Désiré Laval, widely known as the Apostle of Mauritius.

The priest (1803-1864) was a country doctor in France who became a missionary to the island in 1841. Fr Laval spent the rest of his life evangelizing and helping improve agricultural and sanitary conditions in Mauritius.

After celebrating Mass for the faithful in Port Louis, Pope Francis will take a moment to pray at the French priest’s tomb.

The Holy Father’s last event in Mauritius is a meeting with the civil authorities and diplomatic corps at the State House.

Afterwards, he returns by plane to Antananarivo, Madagascar, to stay the night, before returning to Rome on Tuesday.--Vatican News