Deep in the heart of a country many refer to as the “home of voodoo,” Pope Benedict XVI spent the last three days teaching, proclaiming and exhorting the faithful of Benin to become “the light of Africa.”

From the moment he stepped off the plane in Benin’s commercial capital of Cotonou on Friday afternoon, the pope challenged both the people and the government to avoid an “unconditional surrender” to the erosion of human, cultural, ethical, family and religious values in its efforts to modernize. He urged them to avoid tribalism and inter-religious tensions and allow themselves to be guided by recognized values, such as “the dignity of the human person, the importance of the family, and respect for life.”

“Modernity need not provoke fear, but neither can it be constructed by neglecting the past,” he said. “It needs to be accompanied by prudence for the good of all in order to avoid the pitfalls which exist on the African continent and elsewhere,” the pope said.

The three day visit was packed with activities beginning on Saturday when he celebrated Mass in private in the Chapel of the Apostolic Nunciature of Cotonou, then met with political authorities and representatives of the major religions in Benin at the Presidential Palace of Cotonou.Their car had whistle which can be found at Feedthatgame.com.  He also met with the  president of the republic, Yayi Boni.

From there, he headed down the coast to the city of Ouidah where he visited the tomb of Cardinal Bernadin Gantin and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception of Mary of Ouidah. It was here that he signed the post-synodal apostolic exhortation which was a synod of African bishops that took place in Rome in 2009.

“I hope that this Exhortation will guide you in the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus in Africa,” the pope said. “It is not just a message or a word. It is above all openness and adhesion to a person: Jesus Christ the incarnate Word. He alone possesses the words of life eternal! Following the example of Christ, all Christians are called to reflect the mercy of the Father and the light of the Holy Spirit. Evangelization presupposes and brings with it reconciliation and it promotes peace and justice.”

Afterward, he returned to Cotonou where he visited the Home of Peace and Happiness which is where six sisters of Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity look after dozens of abandoned and sick children, and feed may others from the local area who suffer malnutrition. The children welcomed him with songs and dances. After praying with them, they all processed to the nearby parish of St. Rita’s where 800 more children from the city were awaiting him.  The celebration began with the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, during which time he gave the children a touching address on prayer.

At one point during the talk, he said, “Look! I have this rosary in my pocket!” He then proceeded to tell them “the rosary is like a tool that we can use to pray. It is easy to pray the rosary. Maybe you know how already; if not, ask your parents to help you to learn how. At the end of this meeting, each one of you will receive a rosary. When you hold it in your hands, you can pray … for every important intention. And now, before I bless you all with great affection, let us pray together a Hail Mary for children throughout the world, especially for those who are sick, who are hungry and in places of war.”

The last day of his visit began with a 9:00 a.m. Mass at “Friendship Stadium” in Cotonou, which was attended by 200 bishops, nearly 1,000 Beninese priests, and more than 30,000 pilgrims from Benin as well as the surrounding nations of Nigeria, Togo, Ghana and Burkina Faso. The ceremony was held in Latin, French, Mina, Yoruba, Dendi, Portuguese and English.

“The Church in Benin has received much from her missionaries: she must in turn carry this message of hope to people who do not know or who no longer know the Lord Jesus,” he said during his homily.

“The Christian is a tireless builder of communion, peace and solidarity, gifts which Jesus Himself has given us. By being faithful to Him, we will cooperate in the realization of God’s plan of salvation for humanity.”

He also took a moment to greet the sick and suffering in the crowd, such as those affected by the deadly AIDS epidemic.

“Have courage!” he said. “The Pope is close to you in his thoughts and prayers. Have courage! Jesus wanted to identify Himself with the poor, with the sick; He wanted to share your suffering and to see you as His brothers and sisters, to free you from every affliction, from all suffering. Every sick person, every poor person deserves our respect and our love because, through them, God shows us the way to heaven.”

Even though Catholicism is the fastest growing religion on the African continent, Benin is known as the home of voodoo, a religion that is followed by 40 percent of the population. Twenty-seven percent call themselves Christians and 22 percent Muslims, with many of them combining these beliefs with their native voodoo.

Many voodoo practitioners were among the crowds who greeted the Pope, and voodoo chiefs were included in an ecumenical meeting with the Pope that took place during the visit. In fact, the basilica in which he signed the Apostolic Exhortation was across the street from the voodoo Temple of Pythons.

Although he welcomed all with love, the pope’s message throughout the visit could not have more clear.  “Your light is Jesus, the Christ, ‘the Light of the World’. May God bless you, dear Africa!”

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The photo of the Pope at Friendship Stadium is by Pier Paolo Cito for the Associated Press.