The pope's first meeting in Mozambique took place at Ponta Vermelha Palace, the official residence of the President.
Together they both greeted the civil authority representatives and ambassadors.
The president recalled during John Paul II's visit in 1988, Mozambique was in the midst of a civil war. He noted how the Catholic Church helped to bring peace.
FILIPE JACINTO NYUSI
President of Mozambique
We were living then in a war that claimed the lives of millions of fellow citizens. Many of the people were mutilated, separated and displaced families, destroying the social and economic fabric of our young nation. The Community of Sant'Egidio offered to assist in negotiations in Rome. This culminated in the signing of the General Peace Agreement in 1992.
During the pope's speech, he first expressed his affection for the victims of cyclones Idai and Kenneth. In March and April, the center and north of the country were destroyed by these cyclones.
The pope also praised Mozambique's agreement to ending military hostilities just a month ago. He added how efforts to cultivate peace and reconciliation is the best way to face difficulties.
POPE FRANCIS
You have experienced suffering, sorrow and affliction. However, you have refused to let human relationships be governed by vengeance or repression; or to allow hatred and violence to have the final word.
The pope recalled that peace is not only to stop war, but to ensure the dignity of the person is recognized, guaranteed and restored.
POPE FRANCIS
May you not stop to ensure children and young receive education, families are not homeless, workers are not unemployed, and farmers are not without land to cultivate. These are the foundations for a future of hope, as it will be a future of dignity. These are the weapons for peace.
Pope Francis concluded by greeting the other two political leaders, representatives of the former warring factions, but now peace builders.
Javier Martínez-Brocal
Sean Richardson
