From 24 September to 8 October 2025, Fr. Cristóbal Fones, SJ, International Director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, made an apostolic visit to Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia. The visit aimed to encourage the mission of this pontifical work and to accompany the local communities of the Prayer Network and the Eucharistic Youth Movement in the region.
Kenya
The visit began in Nairobi, where Fr. Fones met with the National Director of the EYM, Fr. Jonas Kiplimo; the Continental Coordinator for Africa, Fr. Valter Cassamano SJ; the Regional Coordinator, Fr. Josephat Kabutta SJ; and Fr. Grant Tungay SJ, a member of the continental team.
During his time there, he held meetings with the Apostolic Nuncio, H.E. Hubertus van Megen, and with Fr. Kizito Kiyimba, SJ, Provincial of Eastern Africa. They also visited the headquarters of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar, where, alongside the African team, he spoke about the Prayer Network with its president, Fr. José Minaku SJ. As part of this trip, they also spent time with the community of the Mwangaza Spirituality Centre and with the Jesuit scholastics at Hekima University College.
The meeting with leaders of the EYM and the Prayer Network from various dioceses was one of the most significant moments, marked by prayer, fraternity, and a commitment to the mission of praying for the challenges of humanity and the mission of the Church.
Uganda
From 29 September to 2 October, the International Director visited Uganda, accompanied by Brother Sserugga Noa Mawaggali, the National Director, and Fr. Josephat Kabutta, the Regional Coordinator for Eastern Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia).
During his stay, he met with the representative of the nunciature, the Secretary General of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, the Provincial of the Brothers of Christian Instruction, and with communities of the Apostleship of Prayer and the EYM, known locally as the Eucharistic Crusaders. The visit to the diocese of Mbarara was a special moment to encourage the many active communities of the Movement, which has existed in this country since 1916. In every meeting, the importance of prayer as an ecclesial service and a shared mission was reinforced.
Ethiopia
The final stage of the visit took place from 3 to 8 October in Ethiopia. Together with the National Director, Biruktawit Assefa, and the National Chaplain, Fr. Atakelt Tesfay SJ, they headed towards the south of the country to visit EYM coordinators in the diocese of Hossana. There, they celebrated the Eucharist, shared concerns, and prepared for a large gathering the next day, which brought together some of the leaders from the nearly 5,000 members the movement has in the diocese.
Back in Addis Ababa, he held meetings with the Apostolic Nuncio, H.E. Brian Ngozi Udaigwe, the Archbishop of Addis Ababa, and with representatives of the General Secretariat of the Archdiocese of Addis Ababa. He also gave an interview to the local Catholic television, where he spoke about the mission of the Prayer Network at the service of the universal Church.
This apostolic visit was a sign of communion and hope for the communities of East Africa, which continue to grow in the spirit of service, prayer, and commitment to the challenges of humanity and the mission of the Church.
