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Sifelani Tsiko
Fact Check Editor
The death of Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, at the age of 88 on Monday (April 21) has prompted an outpouring of grief from African leaders and Catholics across the African continent.
Tributes have been pouring in for Pope Francis from Africa and across the world with African leaders and clerics pouring glowing praise to the pontiff, widely respected for his humility and extraordinary leadership.
Here is a look at some of the condolence messages, flurry of tributes and massive outpouring of emotion from some of the African leaders.
“It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I extend, on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Zimbabwe, as well as on my own behalf, our most sincere and deepest condolences on the passing of The Holy Father, His Holiness Pope Francis. In this solemn hour, the world reflects, with reverence, on the life and legacy of a devoted servant of the Apostolic See, who dedicated himself to the service of God and humanity at large. His voice, which resonated within and beyond the hallowed walls of the Vatican, shall, forever, remain an embodiment of his spirit of grace, moral leadership and theological insight, that uplifted the spiritual consciousness of our time.” – Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa
“Catholics and people of all faiths are saddened today by the passing of a spiritual leader who sought to unite humanity and wished to see a world governed by fundamental human values. As the leader of the Church and a global figurehead, Pope Francis advanced a world view of inclusion, equality and care for marginalised individuals and groups, as well as responsible and sustainable custody of the natural environment. His 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. Following so soon after the celebration of Easter, Pope Francis’ passing will extend this traditional period of prayer and reflection, which will unite the Church and the international community in reflecting on the Holy Father’s life and legacy.” – South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa
“At this moment, with hearts in shock, we join the world in bidding farewell to a leader whose light shone brightly, illuminating paths of faith and hope. His Holiness, a pastor for all, transcended the boundaries of the Catholic Church, touching the soul of humanity with his message of love for God and neighbor. His voice, a true cry for justice, echoed in every corner of the planet, inspiring the building of bridges between cultures and religions. His apostolic visit to Mozambique in September 2019 remains a cherished moment in national historiography. Arriving in Maputo amid the challenges of post-cyclone recovery and tensions in Cabo Delgado, his presence was a powerful symbol of hope.” – Mozambique President Daniel Chapo
“I have learnt with sadness about the passing of Pope Francis. Humanity has lost an extraordinary leader of faith who led with compassion, courage and integrity until his last breath. Since he ascended to the position of Head of the Vatican in 2013 as the first Pope from the Global South, Pope Francis shall be ingrained in our memories for his focussed attention on the socio-economic issues facing the developing world. The passing of Pope Francis, a progressive leader of the Vatican and the Catholic Church during this holy period of Easter for the Christian family reminds us about the need to redouble our efforts in favour of the most vulnerable to ensure a just and fairer humanity.
We shall forever recall his simplicity and the wise spiritual guidance he emphasized in dealing with the challenges facing humanity.” – Namibia President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
“Pope Francis will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to the promotion of peaceful co-existence, his service to the poor and the marginalised, 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. His voice carried moral clarity in an increasingly fractured world, and his legacy will resonate for generations to come. We pay tribute to the Pope’s courageous engagement with the African continent, amplifying the voices of the voiceless, championing peace and reconciliation, and standing in solidarity with those affected by conflict and poverty. At this moment of global mourning, the African Union joins the world in honouring a life that exemplified faith in action, and in praying for comfort and strength for all who grieve this profound loss.” – African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf
“Today, with a heavy heart, I join Catholic faithful and Christians around the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis — a guiding light for millions. His passing, coming just after the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, is a sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians. In 2013, he stepped onto the global stage with a message of mercy, urging us to see the face of Christ in the marginalised, the refugees, the migrants, and the forgotten. He challenged the powerful to act with justice, called nations to welcome the stranger, and reminded us that our common home—this Earth—is a gift we must protect for future generations. He was an instrument of peace who deeply embodied the message of Christ: love for God and love for humanity. In a time of division, he built bridges between faiths and the rich and the poor.” – Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
“I extend my deepest condolences on the passing of Pope Francis @Pontifex. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy of compassion, humility, and service to humanity continue to inspire generations to come.” Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed
“We join the Catholic Church and the global Christian community in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. This is a big loss to the Catholic faithful and the Christian world. He exemplified servant leadership through his humility, his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice, and his deep compassion for the poor and the vulnerable. His strong ethical and moral convictions inspired millions across the world, regardless of faith or background. May his soul Rest in Eternal Peace.” – Kenya President William Ruto
“His departure leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of compassion and humanity that will forever remain etched in the conscience of mankind. His Holiness Pope Francis was an exceptional global figure, who dedicated his life to the service of the values of peace and justice, and worked tirelessly to promote tolerance and understanding among religions, and build bridges of dialogue among the peoples of the world. He was a supporter of the Palestinian cause, championing legitimate rights, and urging for an end to conflicts and the establishment of a just and lasting peace.” – Egypt President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
“It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. The world has lost a major spiritual figure. Through his dedication to the most vulnerable and his constant call for dialogue between peoples and religions, he embodied a living hope for millions of believers and people of goodwill.” – Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye
“Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy of faith, compassion, love and service — promoting peace, justice and unity. Notably, we will always remember him for his courage in advocating for reform in governance worldwide, which he himself led by example through the radical reforms he advanced in the Catholic Church, including the Encyclical Laudato si.” – Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis. Pope Francis was a man of great humility and compassion, who led the Catholic Church by example.” – Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema
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