African leaders mourn Pope Francis, honor his legacy of compassion

Tributes pour in from across Africa as leaders reflect on Pope Francis's commitment to peace, inclusion, and justice.

A Catholic faithful prays at the Church of the Assumption in Lagos on April 21, 2025. Photo by Olympia de Maismont/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

African leaders mourn Pope Francis following his death on Monday, reflecting on the late pontiff’s enduring commitment to inclusivity, peace, and human dignity. Across the continent, tributes have poured in from presidents and prime ministers who described him as a moral compass and a transformative figure in global faith and diplomacy.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away at the age of 88. As the first Jesuit and the first pope from the Americas to lead the Roman Catholic Church, his papacy from March 2013 marked a shift toward a more pastoral and inclusive vision for nearly 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. In Africa, where Catholicism continues to grow rapidly, his death is being mourned as a profound loss.

A champion of the poor and marginalized

African leaders mourn Pope Francis not only as a religious leader but also as a global figure who consistently defended the poor, called for environmental justice, and demanded an end to conflict and inequality.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairman of the African Union Commission, highlighted the pope’s direct engagement with the continent. “The Pope's courageous engagement with the African continent amplified the voices of the voiceless, championed peace and reconciliation, and stood in solidarity with those affected by conflict and poverty,” Youssouf said in a statement.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu described the late pope as “a tireless champion of the poor” and lauded him as the “world’s most trenchant voice” against the accelerating climate crisis. Nigeria, home to one of Africa’s largest Catholic populations, often found support in Pope Francis’s advocacy for interfaith harmony and humanitarian response to violent extremism.

Calls for peace in troubled regions

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a nation long troubled by violence and instability, was central to Pope Francis’s appeals for peace. President Felix Tshisekedi called him “a great servant of God,” noting that the pope’s life was “a vibrant testimony of faith, humility, and unwavering commitment to peace, justice, and human dignity.”

Pope Francis had made several appeals for peace in the DRC, especially amid the prolonged violence in its eastern provinces. His efforts were widely appreciated, not just by national leaders but also by religious communities and humanitarian organizations on the ground.

A voice for the environment

Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera, who met the pope in person last year, drew attention to Pope Francis’s environmental encyclical Laudato Si’, published in 2015. The letter called for urgent action to care for the planet and connected ecological concerns to social justice, a message that resonated strongly across Africa, where communities are vulnerable to climate change despite contributing little to global emissions.

President William Ruto of Kenya noted that the pope’s “humility, his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice, and his deep compassion for the poor and the vulnerable” defined his leadership. Kenya, another nation with a sizable Catholic population, found a close ally in Pope Francis, especially regarding sustainable development and peacebuilding efforts.

A spiritual bond with Africa

African leaders mourn Pope Francis not just for his policy positions, but for the personal spiritual impact he had on their citizens. Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina recalled the pontiff’s 2019 visit as “an unforgettable historical and spiritual event forever engraved in our hearts.” His visit to the island drew hundreds of thousands of believers and was seen as a strong affirmation of African faith communities.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called attention to Francis’s “extraordinary life story” and his “care for marginalized individuals and groups.” That sentiment was echoed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who expressed hope that the pope’s legacy of compassion would continue to inspire future generations.

In Senegal, newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye hailed Francis as a “major spiritual figure,” while in Sierra Leone, President Julius Maada Bio said he was “heartbroken” over the loss of someone who had “inspired millions to embrace peace and humility.”

Advocacy for dialogue and peace

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi paid tribute to Pope Francis as “a voice of peace, love and compassion,” emphasizing his efforts to promote religious tolerance and dialogue. The pope's historic meetings with Islamic leaders and his vocal support for interfaith understanding were widely respected across North Africa and the Middle East.

Sisi also acknowledged Pope Francis’s support for the Palestinian cause, saying he “worked tirelessly to promote tolerance and build bridges of dialogue… and was a champion of the Palestinian cause, defending legitimate rights and calling for an end to conflict.”

A final public appearance before his passing

The world was stunned by Pope Francis’s passing, especially since he had appeared in public just the day before, offering Easter Sunday blessings from the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica. Despite having been hospitalized for 38 days due to double pneumonia, he was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital on March 23 and seemed on the mend.

In Africa, where 20 percent of the world’s Catholics reside according to Vatican estimates, his death marks the end of an era. His outreach to African communities, appointments of African cardinals, and personal visits have left a lasting impact.

Remembering a reformer

Pope Francis’s legacy is multifaceted. As a reformer, he pushed the Catholic Church toward more inclusive stances on contentious issues, challenged economic systems that marginalized the poor, and brought climate change to the forefront of moral debate. His tone of empathy and engagement was particularly meaningful in parts of Africa facing poverty, war, and climate vulnerability.

African leaders mourn Pope Francis with genuine sorrow, yet also with a deep sense of gratitude. His moral voice reached across continents, and his influence in Africa went beyond doctrine—it touched lives, moved hearts, and planted seeds of peace and justice that will continue to grow for years to come.