The Latest: Pope speaks at Central African Republic mosque

BANGUI, Central African Republic — The latest on Pope Francis’ first trip to Africa. (All times local.)

9:10 a.m.

Pope Francis has told crowds gathered at the main mosque of Central African Republic’s capital that Muslims and Christians are brothers, and must live as such.

On a rare trip into the volatile neighborhood known as PK5, the pope recalled Monday how Christians and Muslims had long lived together peacefully in Bangui.

The sectarian violence that erupted nearly two years ago has forced most of the capital’s 122,000 Muslims to flee for their lives, with only 15,000 now remaining.

Francis’ visit was deeply symbolic and marked the highlight of his three-nation African tour. Francis was wrapping up his visit with a final Mass in Bangui’s sports stadium before returning to Rome.

___

8:45 a.m.

Pope Francis is making a rare trip to a besieged Muslim enclave inside Central African Republic on the second day of his trip to the country wracked by sectarian violence.

The pope journeyed early Monday into the neighborhood known as PK5 that has been a flashpoint of recent violence.

The visit is part of the message of peace and reconciliation that Pope Francis has been bringing to Central African Republic, where sectarian violence exploded nearly two years ago.

The violence has forced most of the capital’s 122,000 Muslims to flee for their lives, with only 15,000 now remaining.

Francis had insisted on coming to the neighborhood to appeal for peace despite the security concerns.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.