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Francis begins peace pilgrimage to 3 African countries

Pope Francis boards his airplane on the occasion of his trip to Africa, at Rome's Fiumicino International Airport, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015. Pope Francis is leaving for a trip that will take him to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic, from Nov. 25-30. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Pope Francis boards his airplane on the occasion of his trip to Africa, at Rome's Fiumicino International Airport, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015. Pope Francis is leaving for a trip that will take him to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic, from Nov. 25-30. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Pope Francis boards his airplane on the occasion of his trip to Africa, at Rome's Fiumicino International Airport, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015. Pope Francis is leaving for a trip that will take him to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic, from Nov. 25-30. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

By Associated Press 1 min read

ROME (AP) – Pope Francis has begun a pilgrimage to three African nations.

The Alitalia jetliner with the pope and his entourage aboard departed at about 8 a.m. (0700 GMT) Wednesday from Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci airport, bound for the first stop in Kenya.

Francis is also scheduled to visit Uganda and Central African Republic before he is due back in Rome on Nov. 30.

Francis has described himself as a messenger of peace to a continent scarred by conflicts and extremist attacks, including against a growing Christian flock there.