Pope Francis arrives in Nairobi at start of his African visit

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has arrived in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi where he was welcomed by the nation’s President, Uhuru Kenyatta, by local religious leaders and by crowds of singing, dancing well-wishers.

The papal plane touched down at 4.30 local time, ahead of schedule. After signing a visitor’s book, the Pope met privately with the President at the airport for a few minutes before being taken by car to the State House for an official welcome ceremony.

Pope Francis is the third pontiff to visit the East African nation, following in the footsteps of his predecessor John Paul II who travelled to the country three times in 1980, 1985 and 1995.