Final preparations for Pope Benedict XVI's arrival in Benin

The Preparations for 3rd Papal Visit to Benin and the first of Pope Benedict XVI have been completed, and many places where the Holy father will visit were found making final touches as the hour of his arrival in Cotonou draws near. It’s all roads and flights lead to Cotonou in Benin as bishops from the neighbouring African Countries begin arriving for the Apostolic Visit and the presentation of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation after the Second African Synod held in 2009. Anyone going around the cities of Cotonou and Ouidah in these days does not need to ask who is being expected in the two cities. The big posters of the Pope Benedict XVI everywhere in the streets of the two cities announce his coming. “Ekabo Benedict XVI” reads one of the messages in Yoruba one of the local languages welcoming the Holy Father to Benin. The busy streets of Cotonou are filled with the colourful flags of the Vatican, Benin and those of several African Countries. There are a few road works still going on in order to fill the potholes, and have all roads ready for the travel of Benedict XVI during his visit in Cotonou and Ouidah. The Notre Dame Cathedral in Cotonou where the Holy Father will pray before the Holy Eucharist, and the Basilica in Ouidah where Benedict will sign the Post- Synodal Exhortation have been nicely painted and decorated for the ceremonies taking place there. The Head of Vatican Radio's English for Africa service, Fr. Moses Hamungole is in Benin, and tells us the expectations of the people of all walks of life are high. Listen