Nairobi (Fides Service) - Also in Kenya, Catholics will join in world-wide prayers for peace on Ash Wednesday March 5 at the request of Pope John Paul II. Fr Alfonso Poppi, an Italian missionary who has worked for years among the poor in a district of Nairobi, capital of Kenya, tells Fides Service what has been planned for the occasion. "Tomorrow we will pray three rosaries with the people entrusted to my care: one in early the morning, another at midday and the third in the evening. Thanks also to the voice of the Pope, the subject of peace is heard ever more frequently in conversations. Anxiety about war has been somewhat lessened by a new climate of hope after recent elections. It was feared that the change in national leadership might trigger violence but thank God Kenyans have learned to say no to violence and chose peace and now they are confidently hoping for a better future for their children. Hope is also the spirit of a Lenten Pastoral Letter issued by the Catholic Bishops of Kenya, "A New Day is Born". This general feeling of hope is most visible in everyday life: people want to take part in public life, they are anxious to work to improve living conditions. I think that this, together with prayer, is the best response to give to those who want war at any cost". LM (Fides Service 4/3/2003 EM lines 16 Words: 242)