Catholic Bishops in Africa Direct Prayerful Solidarity with Universal Church for Pope Francis’ Soul

The Local Ordinary of CDTY also directed that Daily Mass intentions be offered for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in electing his successor. 

He further encouraged the recitation of the Holy Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet in families, communities, and schools across the South Sudanese Diocese. 

Bishop Hiiboro went on to encourage catechesis and reflection sessions to be organized on the teachings and legacy of Pope Francis, especially among Catholic youths, Catechists, and in Small Christian Communities (SCCs) in his Episcopal See.  

He also encouraged acts of charity and service to be undertaken in the late Holy Father’s memory, as expressions of his spirit of compassion, as well as moments of silent prayer before each liturgical celebration during this period of mourning. 

The Funeral Mass for the late Holy Father has been scheduled for Saturday, April 26 in St. Peter’s Square. He is to be laid to rest at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, as he explained in his testament.

Kevin Joseph Cardinal Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy See’s Apostolic Chamber, who, in a video message, announced the passing on of the 88-year-old Pontiff is leading the Vatican affairs and the Papal transition. 

Vatican physician, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, has since confirmed that Pope Francis died from a stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiac arrest. He had been struggling with double pneumonia and a respiratory infection. He led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 years.

In his April 21 pastoral letter, Bishop Hiiboro remembered Pope Francis’ love for South Sudan, saying, “He carried our people in his heart with deep affection.”

The Local Ordinary of the CDTY since his Episcopal Consecration in June 2008 noted that Pope Francis’ unceasing prayers for peace in South Sudan, his frequent appeals for reconciliation in the East-Central African nation, his 11 April 2019 extraordinary gesture of kneeling and kissing the feet of the country’s political leaders, and his historic visit to Juba in February 2023, “were signs of his immense pastoral love and commitment to our nation.”

Pope Francis’ life, Bishop Hiiboro said, “was a radiant witness of humility, bold faith, and unwavering solidarity with the poor and marginalized.”

Pope Francis, he recalled, “walked with the suffering, called the Church to the peripheries, and taught us all to journey together in communion through the path of synodality.”

Bishop Hiiboro went on to remind the people of God in South Sudan to always remember the late Pontiff as “the Pope who loved us, prayed with us, wept with us, and taught us never to lose hope in God's mercy.”

In Kenya, Archbishop Anthony Muheria of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri has expressed his shock at the passing on of Pope Francis, and invited the people of God under his pastoral care to offer Holy Mass for his soul for a week.

“It is both shocking as it is sad,” Archbishop Muheria said of the news of Pope Francis’ passing on. 

“As good children of this common Father and shepherd, we all come together to offer prayers for our dear Holy Father,” the Kenyan Catholic Archbishop said, and added, “I invite you all to offer Masses for his soul for the next seven days and invite all Christians to pray rosaries and sacrifices for his soul.”

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He expressed his gratitude to God for the gift of Pope Francis who he said had reawakened in the Church the greater concern for the marginalized and expanded the heart of mercy among the people of God. 

Reflecting on the Pope Francis’ pastoral visit to Kenya in 2015, which was the first late Pontiff’s trip to Africa, Archbishop Muheria said that Kenyans remember his “clarion call to fight corruption”, and his desire for the country to care more for the poor.

Pope Francis, the Kenyan member of Opus Dei recalled, has been a champion of detachment and ordinariness. “May almighty God grant him eternal happiness, which he has always longed for!” Archbishop Muheria implored. 

In Malawi, all Dioceses will be celebrating Holy Mass for the Holy Father’s peaceful repose.

In an April 21 statement, the president of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB), Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka, gave the directive, saying, “We strongly recommend that all Priests, united with the religious men and women, and the people of God, celebrate Holy Masses in these days for the soul of the late His Holiness Pope Francis.”

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Koronga said that on Saturday, April 26, the day of Pope Francis’ burial, similar Eucharistic celebrations will take place in all our Cathedrals, presided over by members of the MCCB or their delegates.

In Morocco, Cristóbal Cardinal López Romero, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Rabat has paid tribute to Pope Francis who he says, “experienced his great Passover at the very beginning of this Easter season”.

Cardinal Romero directed that the people of God under his pastoral care pray for the Holy Father’s soul.

“Dear brothers and sisters, the Pope has died,” Cardinal Romero said in his April 21 note seen by ACI Africa, and added, “Let us pray for him; let us pray for the Church. He experienced his great Passover at the very beginning of this Easter season.”

“Let us be attentive to the indications that follow,” he said, and added, “In the meantime, today's Mass in every parish, in the Paschal spirit, will be offered for Him. More than ever, let us be united in prayer.”

Bishop Jean Michaël Durhône of the Catholic Diocese of Port-Louis in Mauritius has also announced that together with the Priests in his Episcopal See, he will celebrate a Requiem Mass at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 24,  at the Cathedral.

Bishop Durhône paid tribute to the late Pontiff, noting that in his pontificate, Pope Francis left his mark on history through his humility, his closeness to the most vulnerable and his choice of a simple life, faithful to the Gospel.

“Pope Francis has undertaken major reforms to renew the Church and make it more just and inclusive. He has stepped up the fight against abuse, promoted more collegial governance and encouraged a greater place for the laity, especially women,” the Mauritian Catholic Bishop said.

He added, “Appointed and appointed bishop under his pontificate, I was impressed by his vision of the Church. His vision of a more welcoming and fraternal Church will continue to inspire generations. May his legacy be a light for the future.”

“Let us pray for Pope Francis as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. May he be given the grace of eternal life,” Bishop Durhône implored in his April 21 tribute.