“On the third leg of my apostolic journey, I stopped in the Central African Republic, at the geographical heart of the continent. It was actually the first visit I wanted to make, because that country is trying to overcome very difficult times, characterised by violent conflicts and much suffering among the people”. Pope Francis said this to the faithful during his Wednesday Audience today, adding off the cuff: “It is a country that is suffering so much”. This is why, Pope Francis said, “I wanted to open the first Holy Door in Bangui, one week before the start of the Jubilee of Mercy, as a sign of faith and hope for that people, and symbolically also for all African people who are most in need of healing and comfort”. “Cross to the other side”, the Pope said, referring to the motto of the third leg of his trip to Africa, “means, in the civil sense, leaving behind war, division, and misery, and choosing peace, reconciliation and development. This, however, involves a change in the minds, attitudes and intentions of people. In that respect, religious communities can make a decisive contribution”.