“Champion of the poor”: African Heads of State Mourn Pope Francis’ Passing On

In Kenya, President William Ruto has expressed his solidarity with the Catholic Church and the global Christian Community that is mourning the death of Pope Francis. 

In an April 21 statement, President Ruto said that Pope Francis’ passing on is a big loss to the Catholic faithful and the Christian world.

“Pope Francis will be remembered for a life dedicated to serving the Lord, the Church, and humanity. He exemplified servant leadership through his humility, his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice, and his deep compassion for the poor and the vulnerable,” the President of the Republic of Kenya said.

He noted that Pope Francis’ strong ethical and moral convictions inspired millions across the world, regardless of faith or background.

On his part, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has remembered Pope Francis for his advancement of the world’s view of inclusion, equality, and care for marginalized individuals and groups, as well as responsible and sustainable custody of the natural environment.

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“His (Pope Francis) extraordinary life story and ascendancy to the Holy See unfolded with humility and a profound commitment to making the Church and the world a better place for all of humanity,” President Ramaphosa said.

Namibia’s First Female President, Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has also paid tribute to Pope Francis, describing him as a “leader of faith who led with compassion, courage and integrity until his last breath.”

“Pope Francis shall be ingrained in our memories for his focused attention on the socio-economic issues facing the developing world,” she said in a Facebook post published on April 21.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah said the world would forever remember late Pope Francis’ “simplicity and the wise spiritual guidance he emphasized in dealing with the challenges facing humanity.”

“On behalf of the people and the Government of the Republic of Namibia, I extend sincere condolences to the Vatican, the entire Catholic Church community, and his entire family,” she said. 

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), President Felix Tshisekedi has remembered Pope Francis for his “vibrant testimony of faith, humility and unwavering commitment to peace, justice and human dignity.”

“The Congolese, in particular, will always remember the spiritual legacy of Pope Francis. His fervent prayers, especially in his Urbi ET Urbi messages, have always paid special attention to the Democratic Republic of Congo, invoking peace and reconciliation for our nation,” President Tshisekedi said in his statement.

The Congolese President recalled the January 2023 pastoral visit of Pope Francis to Kinshasa, describing it as a moment marked by hope and communion. “On that occasion, his prophetic cry, ‘Take your hands off Africa, take your hands off the DRC’, resounded like a powerful call for justice and sovereignty, engraved forever in the collective memory of the Congolese people,” he said.

Meanwhile, the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairman, Mahmoud Ali Youssef, also extended heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community on the passing on of Pope Francis.

Speaking on behalf of the African Union (AU) and its member States, he said, “Pope Francis will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to the promotion of peaceful co-existence, his service to the poor and the marginalized, his bold calls for climate justice, his relentless pursuit of dialogue among faiths and cultures, and his enduring efforts to build bridges where others saw walls.”

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“His voice carried moral clarity in an increasingly fractured world and his legacy will resonate for generations to come,” the native of Djibouti said.