“We thank God”: Apostolic Nuncios in South Africa, Nigeria on Pope Leo XIV’s Birthday

In his message, Archbishop Henryk assures the Holy Father his spiritual solidarity, saying, “With deep gratitude and profound respect, we assure Your Holiness of our constant prayers for Your health, joy, and the fulfillment of Your sacred mission as Shepherd of the Universal Church. Ad multos annos!”

In Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty echoed the thanksgiving message of his counterpart in South Africa.

“Today, as Pope Leo XIV celebrates his 70th birthday, we thank God for this milestone,” Archbishop Crotty is quoted as saying in a report that the Nigeria Catholic Network (NCN) published on September 14.

The Irish-born Vatican diplomat implores for the Holy Father, “May the Lord continue to guide him, grant him sound health and long life as he shepherds the Church.”

In the three countries Botswana, Eswatini, and South Africa, Catholic youths and young adults have implored for Pope Leo XIV. In a Facebook post published on September 14, they say, “May your life continue to inspire many with faith, hope, and love.”

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“We pray that God blesses you with good health, strength, and wisdom always,” Catholic, who are part of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) youths and young adult ministry implore.

In Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, a September 14 Facebook post reads, “Today the Holy Father turns 70. Let us accompany him with our prayers and best wishes.”

Born in Chicago in the U.S. on 14 September 1955, Pope Leo XIV was admitted to the Order of St. Augustine (OSA) in 1978 and professed solemn vows in 1981. He was ordained to the Priesthood in June 1982, following theological formation at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

He served as Prior General of the OSA for two six-year consecutive terms, which ended in 2013. 

In November 2014, the late Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo Catholic Diocese in Peru, where he had been a missionary, elevating him to the Episcopal dignity and Titular Bishop of Sufar. The late Pope Francis created him a Cardinal during the September 2023 Consistory. 

The first Pontiff in modern history with firsthand knowledge of Africa, Pope Leo XIV had traveled to several African countries before he was elected Pope, especially in his role as OSA Prior General and as member of the Roman Curia since 2019.

Unlike his predecessors, Pope Leo XIV had already been to Eastern, Western, Southern, Northern, and Central Africa in person; he had been in Kenya at least six times and in neighboring Tanzania more than five times.

In 2009, he traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where he presided over the inauguration of the Augustinian University in Kinshasa, and also engaged with families and communities in villages affected by war.

Expectation for a Papal visit to Africa has already been expressed. In July, the Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya said, “Pope Leo is a hard worker, and indeed, he has a special place in his heart for Kenya. As you may have read in the newspapers following his election as Pope, he is very close to the Augustinian community in Nairobi.”

Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, who was addressing journalists on July 10 following the  establishment of the Catholic Diocese of Kapsabet revealed that he had met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican in June and that he “invited him to also come to Kenya.”

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“With concerted effort involving the Church leadership and the government, the Holy Father may soon realize a maiden visit to the country as Pope,” the Dutch-born Vatican diplomat added.

On 70th birthday on Sunday, September 14, Pope Leo XIV presided at the recitation of the Angelus with pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square. He was visibly moved when musical groups in the square played “Happy Birthday,” a gesture that was reportedly greeted with applause, cheers, and the waving of signs bearing messages of gratitude and blessing.

“Dear friends, it seems that you know that today I turn seventy years old. I give thanks to the Lord and to my parents; and I thank all those who have remembered me in their prayers. Many thanks to everyone! Thank you! Have a good Sunday!” the Holy Father said.

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