“My visit to Mozambique culminated in Mass, celebrated in the stadium in the rain, but we were all happy. The songs, the religious dances ... so much happiness. The rain didn't matter,” the late Pope Francis said recalling the 6 September 2019 Eucharistic celebration at Mozambique’s Zimpeto stadium.
Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Maputo, Mozambique Sept. 6, 2019. Credit: Edward Pentin/CNA.
While in Madagascar, the late Pope Francis described the Indian Ocean Island nation located off the Southeastern coast of Africa as a country of great potential. He said, “I hope that, inspired by its traditional spirit of solidarity, the Malagasy people can overcome adversity and build a future of development by combining respect for the environment and social justice.”
Pope Francis with religious people in Madagascar
In his last leg of the three-nation pastoral trip, the late Pope Francis described Mauritius as a country of natural friendship.
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Congregation gathered for Mass in Mauritius
“There is strong inter-religious dialogue, and also friendship between the heads of different religious denominations. Something that would seem strange to us, but they thus experience the friendship that is natural,” he said.
- Virginity in Africa
In his message on 9 September 2023, when he met some 110 Catholic Bishops mostly from Africa and Asia, the late Pope Francis described the African continent as “virgin”, and warned against those he said were out to exploit it.
Pope Francis with 110 Catholic Bishops mostly from Africa and Asia during his audience with them inside the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace near St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
“There is still the widespread idea that Africa must be exploited. But you, African people, have great human resources,” the late Pope Francis said, and added, “There is originality in you, recognize and value it. Give no room to the inferiority complex. There is still virginity in Africa. You have a virgin thought.”
- Faith and resilience
In his message to members of the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) in July 2022, the late Pope Francis recalled his visits to Africa, and said he had consistently been impressed by “the faith and resilience” of the people of God on the continent.
Credit: Vatican Media
Recalling his inaugural trip to Africa, during which he visited Kenya, Uganda, and the Central African Republic (CAR) in 2015, the late Pope Francis said, “As I commented during my trip to the Central African Republic in 2015, Africa always surprises us.”
- Richly diverse
In his maiden trip to Africa as Pontiff, the late Pope Francis first landed in Kenya on 25 November 2015; he recognized with appreciation the "young and vibrant nation" and encouraged Kenyans to continue working for peace in their country.
Pope Francis addresses Kenya's president and other civic leaders in Nairobi Nov. 25
The late Pope Francis praised the “richly diverse” nation of Kenya, saying that it plays an important role in the region as other countries work to create "a multiethnic society which is truly harmonious, just and inclusive.”
Describing the country’s natural beauty and resources as laudable, the late Pope Francis observed the “strong appreciation” and “culture of conservation” that he said Kenyans have.
- The smile and hope of the world
While condemning the exploitation of Africa ahead of his last pastoral trip to Africa in 2023, when he visited the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan, the late Pope Francis described the African continent as “the smile and hope of the world”.
His prayer, he said, was for Africa to be “spoken of more frequently”, and to be respected.
“Hands off Africa! Stop choking Africa,” Pope Francis said, and warned that Africa “is not a mine to be stripped or a terrain to be plundered.”
Pope Francis is greeted at the N’Dolo Airport in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Jan. 31, 2023. | Credit: Vatican Media
“May Africa be the protagonist of its own destiny!” he said, and added, “May Africa, the smile and hope of the world, count for more.”
“May it be spoken of more frequently and have greater weight and prestige among the nations!” the late Pope Francis said about the world’s second largest and second most populous continent after Asia in both cases.
The late Pope Francis was laid to rest on Saturday, April 26 in his “beloved” Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major as he explained in his testament. It was a global farewell to a humble shepherd.
Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.
Credit: Vatican Media
