The news broke with a heaviness that swept across continents: Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and a beacon of hope for the marginalized, has died at 88.
A Continent Grieves: The Passing of a Global Pastor
His passing on April 21, 2025, at the Vatican marks the end of a transformative era for the Catholic Church and for Africa, a continent where his presence, compassion, and advocacy left an indelible mark. As millions mourn, Africans from bustling cities to remote villages remember a shepherd who walked among them, spoke their language of suffering and hope, and called the world to see their dignity.
A Pope Who Walked with Africa
Pope Francis’ relationship with Africa was not one of distant pronouncements but of personal engagement and profound empathy. He visited the continent five times, journeying to countries like Kenya, Uganda, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo—often choosing regions scarred by conflict, poverty, and displacement. In each visit, he brought messages of peace, reconciliation, and solidarity, standing with those whom the world too often forgets.
One of the most powerful images of his papacy came in 2019, when he knelt to kiss the feet of South Sudanese leaders, imploring them to lay down arms and embrace peace. In the war-torn Central African Republic, he risked his life to visit both Christian and Muslim communities, driving home his call for interfaith harmony and an end to violence. In Nairobi’s slums, he walked the muddy paths, listening to the stories of the poor and urging governments to guarantee land, lodging, and labor for all.
Voices from Africa: Reflections on His Legacy
African religious leaders, political figures, and ordinary citizens have spoken with one voice in tribute to Pope Francis. Cardinal Stephen Brislin of Johannesburg called him “a most remarkable and strong leader, a leader with vision at a time in the world when there is a vacuum of visionary and inspiring leaders,” noting that his moral and spiritual guidance transcended religious boundaries. Members of the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network praised his humility, servant leadership, and prophetic voice in a wounded world.
Catholic bishops in Congo said, “The successor of Peter, Pope Francis, as a good shepherd who knows his sheep, left us with powerful words which have strengthened our faith, revived our hope, ignited our love and challenged our consciences”. Political scientist David Matsanga observed that Francis’ visits put a spotlight on conflicts and exploitation in Africa, often ignored by the rest of the world.
For ordinary Africans, his visits were moments of joy and transformation. “Writing a letter is good, talking and sending a message is good, but coming to visit has no price, no equal. That’s why he must go physically because they believe in a Church that is one, that has a head, that is leading the flock,” said Cardinal Francis Arinze.
Empowering Africa: Growth, Reform, and Hope
Under Pope Francis, the Catholic Church in Africa experienced remarkable growth. The Catholic population surged from 185 million in 2013 to an estimated 230 million by 2025, with vocations rising even as they declined elsewhere. He appointed more African cardinals than any predecessor, amplifying Africa’s voice in the global Church and encouraging local solutions to local challenges.
Francis championed a decentralized, inclusive Church, empowering African bishops, universities, and communities to shape their pastoral approaches and address social issues in ways rooted in African realities. He supported the agency of young Africans, meeting virtually with over 1,000 youth to inspire them to fight for their dreams and justice.
Messages for Africa: Peace, Poverty, Migration, and Climate
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis was a relentless advocate for the poor, the displaced, and the earth itself. He called out “economic colonialism” and challenged the world to stop exploiting Africa’s resources, declaring, “Hands off the Democratic Republic of the Congo! Hands off Africa! Stop choking Africa, it is not a mine to be stripped or a terrain to be plundered”. He urged African governments to guarantee basic rights and called on the international community to address the root causes of migration and conflict.
His encyclical Laudato si’ inspired environmental activism across Africa, linking care for creation with justice for the poor. In his final Easter message, he lamented the suffering in Sudan, South Sudan, and the Sahel, insisting that “there can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and respect for the views of others”.
How Africa Will Remember Pope Francis
Pope Francis will be remembered in Africa not simply as a distant religious leader, but as a father, a friend, and a champion of the continent’s dignity and potential. He embodied the Gospel’s call to stand with the least, to break down barriers, and to build a future of justice, peace, and hope. His humility, courage, and unwavering focus on the marginalized inspired a new generation of African leaders—religious and secular alike—to dream bigger and act more boldly.
As Africa grieves, it also looks forward, carrying his legacy in the struggle for peace, the fight against poverty, and the quest for a Church and society where every voice matters. The seeds Pope Francis planted—in hearts, in communities, in the very soil of Africa—will continue to bear fruit for generations.
“Love has conquered hatred, light has conquered darkness, and truth has conquered falsehood. Forgiveness has conquered revenge. Evil has not been eradicated from history… but it no longer holds the upper hand over those who embrace the grace of this day.”
— Pope Francis, Easter 2025
His voice may be stilled, but his message—of mercy, justice, and hope—will echo across Africa for years to come.
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