A former street boy is among those who will share the podium with Pope Francis during his meeting with the youth at Kasarani on Friday morning.

Simon Omari Mwangi, a former street boy, is a student at Koelel Secondary School. His siblings live in a children’s home while his mother lives in a slum. 

The Pope, who has described the youth as the hope for the future, is expected to address terrorism as well as youth unemployment when he meets the young people.

The pontiff will also hold talks with religious leaders after his meeting with the youth before leaving the country.

Simon was rescued by a well-wisher who introduced him to a Catholic priest who worked with the church to sponsor his primary education. When he passed his Standard Eight examinations, he became a beneficiary of the Wings to Fly scholarships offered by Equity Bank to bright but needy students.

Annet Kemunto Kebokero from St Joseph’s Girls High School in Kibwezi will also share a podium with the Pope. She too is from a poor family.

The Pope has shown compassion for the poor wherever he has travelled.

“In the poor, we see the face of Christ who for our sake became poor,” the Pontiff said on Twitter last month.