Making reference to the Holy Father’s Encyclical Letter on care for our common home, Laudato Si’, which marks its 10th anniversary this year, he said the Pope “expressed concern for the environment and the protection of nature, our common home, taking a firm stand against multinationals and companies that ruthlessly exploit nature and pollute the public environment.”
The Local Ordinary of Huambo continued, “Francis left us with a powerful message of love for creation, reminding us of the importance of caring for our Common Home, the Earth.”
The Angolan member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) also recalled the Holy Father’s dedication to youth, saying, ““He rejoiced with the youth during the World Youth Days in Brazil, Cologne, Panama, and most recently, Lisbon. After the 2018 Synod on Youth, which he convened, he left young people with the apostolic exhortation Christus Vivit (‘Christ is Alive’), affirming the importance of building a new humanity where no one is left behind and where we all recognize one another as brothers and sisters.”
The Catholic Church leader also described Pope Francis as a man of peace.
“Pope Francis sought peace for Ukraine, the Great Lakes Region, South Sudan, and the Gaza Strip. One image that remains vivid in our minds is his compassionate appeal to refugees in Marrakesh and Italy,” he said.
Archbishop Zeca continued, “He was a point of unity for states and nations. It was moving when, humbling himself before the leaders of South Sudan, he knelt and kissed their feet in a sincere and profound plea for an end to war.”
“Francis not only cared for the Church but also dedicated himself to humanity as a whole, without distinction, and had the courage to confront difficult and unpopular issues. Pope Francis was an example of firmness and mercy, always seeking, with humility, the true reform of the Church,” he said.
The Angolan Catholic Archbishop also recalled Pope Francis’ sensitivity toward refugees and migrants around the world, saying, “Solidarity and the defense of human dignity were always priorities for Francis. Through concrete gestures—like welcoming refugees into the Vatican—he demonstrated his commitment to the most vulnerable. Pope Francis taught us to look at others with compassionate hearts and to help those on the margins of society.”
The funeral Mass for the 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 statement.
João Vissesse is an Angolan Journalist with a passion and rich experience in Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate.
