Pope Francis arrived in Kenya on Wednesday for the start of a three-nation African tour.

Wednesday's arrival marks the first time Francis has visited the continent since he became the head of the Catholic Church in 2013.

As reported in the BBC, President Uhuru Kenyatta, a Catholic, welcomed the Argentine-born pontiff at the airport in the capital city of Nairobi before a crowd of cheering citizens.

The Pope called for religious reconciliation and healing between Christian and Muslim groups in Africa. "To the extent that our societies experience divisions, whether ethnic, religious or economic, all men and women of good will are called to work for reconciliation and peace, forgiveness and healing," Francis said, according to Reuters.

Speaking shortly after arriving in Kenya, Francis brought up ecological and environmental issues, urging world leaders to seek responsible economic development and look for ways to protect nature for future generations.

When making his address to the regional U.N. headquarters in Nairobi on Thursday, Francis will speak more directly about climate issues.

"The grave environmental crisis facing our world demands an ever greater sensitivity to the relationship between human beings and nature," Francis said. "We have a responsibility to pass on the beauty of nature in its integrity to the future generations."

In Kenya, a country of 45 million people, 30 percent of the population is Catholic.

Pope Francis will make stops in Uganda and the Central African Republic, areas which have suffered the ravages of Christian-Muslim conflicts.

When asked about security worries, the Pope told reporters that he was not concerned.

"The only thing I'm concerned about is the mosquitoes," Francis said. "Did you bring your spray?"

According to The New York Times, Africans currently make up 14 percent of the world’s total Catholic population.