VATICAN CITY, VATICAN — African leaders have joined the global community in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, praising his “legacy of compassion” and “commitment to inclusivity.”
Pope Francis, a dynamic reformer who inspired deep devotion among Catholics while challenging traditionalists, died at the age of 88.
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairman of the African Union Commission, commended “the Pope’s courageous engagement with the African continent, amplifying the voices of the voiceless, championing peace and reconciliation, and standing in solidarity with those affected by conflict and poverty.”
Pope Francis, whose birth name was Jorge Bergoglio, had led the Catholic Church since March 2013, becoming the first Jesuit to head the world’s nearly 1.4 billion Catholics.
Africa is home to approximately 20 percent of the world’s Catholic population, according to recent Vatican statistics, with significant concentrations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed his sorrow for the loss of a “tireless champion of the poor” and the world’s “most trenchant voice” against climate change.
Kenyan President William Ruto described his death as “a big loss to the Catholic faithful and the Christian world.” “He exemplified servant leadership through his humility, his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice, and his deep compassion for the poor and the vulnerable,” Ruto wrote on X.
DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi honored a “great servant of God, whose life was a vibrant testimony of faith, humility, and unwavering commitment to peace, justice, and human dignity.”
Pope Francis had repeatedly called for an end to the protracted conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged Pope Francis’s “extraordinary life story” and “care for marginalised individuals and groups.”
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his hope that “his legacy of compassion, humility, and service to humanity continue to inspire generations to come,” as he wrote on X.
Pope Francis’s death occurred just a day after he appeared on the balcony at Saint Peter’s Basilica on Easter Sunday, delighting crowds of worshippers. He had recently been discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital on March 23, following 38 days of treatment for double pneumonia.
Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera, who met with the Pope last year, highlighted Francis’s 2015 papal letter Laudato Si’, which connected environmental concerns with moral responsibility.
Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina noted that the Pope’s 2019 visit to the island “was an unforgettable historical and spiritual event forever engraved in our hearts.”
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye spoke of a “major spiritual figure,” while Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio expressed he was “heartbroken” by the news.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stated that the Pope’s passing was “a profound loss for the entire world, as he was a voice of peace, love and compassion.” He added that the Pope “worked tirelessly to promote tolerance and build bridges of dialogue… and was a champion of the Palestinian cause, defending legitimate rights and calling for an end to conflict.”
