Vatican City, Mar 30, 2009 / 17:24 pm
On Sunday African Catholics gathered in Saint Peter’s Square to support Pope Benedict’s comments on AIDS prevention and condom promotion. About a hundred gathered to wave African flags and show banners that read “Africa Loves the Pope.”
Benedict Ahamiogie, one of those attending, told VOA news that the condom promotes promiscuity and “gives a kind of illusive assurance to those who use condoms.” Those who think condom use keeps them save from AIDS are not absolutely safe, he said.
Father Dennis Isizo, an African Catholic priest, said Africans were open to Pope Benedict’s message.
"In Africa, we did not criticize the Holy Father, we received the message," Father Isizo told VOA News. "Criticism, that is maybe for Europe or any other place, but for Africa we are happy for the visit, we thank him for his visit, we thank him for his message.”