Nigeria - Pope celebrates mass

(23 Mar 1998) T/I: 10:50:30 Pope John Paul II spoke out forcefully for human rights on Monday (23/3) at an open-air mass in military-ruled Nigeria. He addressed hundreds of thousands of people in Kubwa near the capital Abuja. Arriving at the nuncio's residence in Abuja, the pontiff emerged with difficulty from his black limousine and was assisted by an aide to the entrance of the building, where he was to meet Roman Catholic bishops of Nigeria, his final engagement before heading back to Rome later Monday. SHOWS: KUBWA, NEAR ABUJA, NIGERIA - 23/03 WS crowds thronging area; ms pan to follow Popemobile through crowd; ws crowds; ws crowds; ms dancers; VS Priests and Bishops going onto Altar; MS Pope takes stage; VS Children carrying pots filled with incense; MS Pope reads message to the gathered faithful; VS Priests and Bishops; WS and pan across crowd; vs drum band and musicians; ws crowd. 2.03 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...