Francis also appeared to take a swipe at China in his homily. Beijing has enormous investments in Mozambique, but has been criticized as draining the country’s resources.

“And at times it seems that those who approach with the alleged desire to help have other interests,” he said, later adding, “It is very dangerous to think that this is the price to be paid for foreign aid.”

But mostly he focused on reconciliation.

“Many of you can still tell your own stories of violence, hatred and conflict; some concerning things that happened to you personally, others concerning people you knew who are no longer alive, and others still, out of fear that the past wounds will reopen and reverse the progress already made toward peace,” he said.

The pope had arrived from a treatment center where he spent the morning visiting the sick, including those with H.I.V. or AIDS. There, he compared health care workers to the Good Shepherd, who “deal with the problem in its entirety, restoring dignity to women and children.”