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Africa

“Champion of the poor”: African Heads of State Mourn Pope Francis’ Passing On

Apr 23, 2025

Presidents of different African countries have penned moving tributes to Pope Francis, describing him as a tireless champion of the poor, a “guiding light for millions”, and a shepherd who emphasized in dealing with the challenges facing humanity.  

Let’s Protect Pope Francis’ Legacy by Fighting Injustice: Chadian Catholic Archbishop

Apr 23, 2025

Archbishop Goetbé Edmond Djitangar of the Catholic Archdiocese of N’Djaména in Chad has called on the people of God in his Metropolitan See to honor Pope Francis's legacy by embracing his commitment to fight injustice and protect the environment.

Bishop Matthew Remijio Adam of South Sudan’s Catholic Diocese of Wau

“Let’s not get used to war”, Bishop in South Sudan Pleads in Easter Message, Cautions against “logic of weapons”

Apr 23, 2025

Bishop Matthew Remijio Adam of South Sudan’s Catholic Diocese of Wau has decried the protracted violent conflicts in the country. 

Stephen Cardinal Brislin of the Catholic Archdiocese of Johannesburg in South Africa

Abject Poverty, Abuse of Children among “many signs of a culture of death” in South Africa: Cardinal Brislin at Easter

Apr 23, 2025

In his 2025 Easter message, Stephen Cardinal Brislin of the Catholic Archdiocese of Johannesburg in South Africa has decried the “culture of death”.

Bishop Michael Gobal Gokum of the Catholic Diocese of Pankshin in Nigeria. Credit: ACI Africa

“I feel very sad”: Nigerian Catholic Bishop Laments Massive Exodus in His Episcopal See amid Insecurity

Apr 23, 2025

Bishop Michael Gobal Gokum of the Catholic Diocese of Pankshin in Nigeria has expressed sorrow over the mass displacement of residents in his Episcopal See as a result of insecurity.

Cardinals in Rome | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Cardinals Converge in Rome as Second General Congregation Gathers 103 Prelates

Apr 23, 2025

The College of Cardinals saw a significant increase in attendance at Wednesday's General Congregation, with 103 cardinals now present in Rome — nearly double the approximately 60 who participated in Tuesday's initial gathering.

Tanzanian Cardinal Calls for Spiritual Closeness with Cardinals ahead of Selection of New Pope

Apr 23, 2025

Protase Cardinal Rugambwa of Tanzania’s Catholic Archdiocese of Tabora has appealed for spiritual solidarity with the College of Cardinals entrusted with leading the Church during the Papal Interregnum, the period between the passing or resignation of a pope and the election of his successor.

Cardinal Nzapalainga Eulogizes Pope Francis as “a man who loved the Central African Republic, Church in Africa”

Apr 23, 2025

Dieudonné Cardinal Nzapalainga of the Catholic Archdiocese of Bangui has paid a glowing tribute to Pope Francis, who passed on Easter Monday, describing the late Pontiff as a devoted friend of the Central African Republic (CAR) and a shepherd who loved the Church across Africa.

Catholic Bishop in DR Congo Reminisces about Pope Francis’ Powerful Words of Encouragement During Visit

Apr 23, 2025

Bishop Melchisedec Sikuli Paluku of the Catholic Diocese of Butembo-Beni in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has remembered the 2023 visit of Pope Francis to the troubled African country, during which the Holy Father lauded the vitality of the Church in the country.

“A Pope close to everyone”: Cardinal in Ivory Coast Lauds Pope Francis’ Simplicity

Apr 23, 2025

The late Pope Francis was a humble, missionary-minded shepherd close to all and whose vision for a synodal and merciful Church remains alive, Ignace Cardinal Bessi Dogbo of the Ivory Coast’s Catholic Archdiocese of Abidjan has said.

Pope Francis prays during Mass on the solemnity of the Epiphany on Jan. 6, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

Catholic Bishops in Africa Direct Prayerful Solidarity with Universal Church for Pope Francis’ Soul

Apr 23, 2025

Bishops across Africa have issued directives in their respective Dioceses, encouraging special prayers for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis who passed on Easter Monday, April 21 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.

Pope Francis’ Passing On “a colossal loss”, Catholic Archbishop in Nigeria Mourns, Says We’ve Lost “a moral compass”

Apr 23, 2025

The late Pope Francis address moral and ethical issues authoritatively and his Easter Monday passing on signifies “a colossal loss”, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Nigeria’s Archdiocese of Abuja has said. 

Entertainment Activities Planned in Zambian Catholic Archdiocese Suspended as World Mourns Pope Francis’ Passing On

Apr 23, 2025

The Catholic Archdiocese of Ndola in Zambia has declared a period of mourning following the passing on of Pope Francis, and suspended major activities it had lined up before the Easter Monday news was made public.

Pope Francis prays at the “Garden of Angels” section of the Laurentino Cemetery in Rome on All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

"Death is not the end of everything": Vatican Releases Pope Francis' Reflections on Aging, Dying

Apr 22, 2025

“We must not be afraid of old age, we must not fear embracing becoming old,” wrote Francis in the preface to a book in Italian by Cardinal Angelo Scola.

The body of Pope Francis lies in state at the Vatican's Domus Sanctae Marthae chapel, surrounded by Swiss Guards, cardinals, and Vatican officials paying their respects before his transfer to St. Peter's Basilica for public veneration, Monday, April 21, 2025. | Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican Releases First Photos of Pope Francis After His Death

Apr 22, 2025

The Vatican on Tuesday released the first photos of Pope Francis after his death, showing him dressed in red vestments and lying in a simple, wooden coffin inside the chapel of the Santa Marta guesthouse. 

Bouquets of flowers are left by visitors to St. Peter's Square on Easter Monday following the news of the death of Pope Francis, Monday, April 21, 2025. | Credit: Kristina Millare/CNA

Pope Francis Died from Stroke, Coma, and Irreversible Cardiovascular Collapse: Vatican Physician

Apr 21, 2025

The Holy See on Monday evening released the death certificate detailing the cause of death of Pope Francis, who died in his Vatican apartment at 7:35 a.m. in Rome on April 21, the day after Easter.

Pope Francis, “profound source of inspiration for us”: Africa’s Catholic Bishops Mourn, Recall Holy Father’s Legacy

Apr 21, 2025

Catholic Bishops in Africa have expressed sorrow at the passing on of Pope Francis, remembering him as an inspirational leader, whose pontificate of peace and inclusivity was felt by many across the continent, resulting in a positive and memorable impression. 

“A friend of Africa”: Catholic Church Leaders Pay Heartfelt Tributes to Pope Francis, Offer Prayers

Apr 21, 2025

The Church in Africa has been thrown into deep mourning following the passing on of Pope Francis, with Church leaders on the continent describing the late Holy Father as a voice for the voiceless, a tireless advocate for peace and human dignity, and most especially, “a friend of Africa”.

Pope Francis Leaves “unforgettable, impactful legacy of reform”: Catholic Bishops in Lusophone Africa

Apr 21, 2025

Catholic Bishops in Portuguese-speaking Africa (Lusophone Africa) have paid glowing tribute to late Pope Francis, who passed on Easter Monday, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta at the age of 88.

Pope Francis at the Jubilee of the Sick in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, April 6, 2025, wearing nasal cannulas for supplemental oxygen as he continues recovering from bilateral pneumonia. | Credit: Daniel Ibañez/ EWTN News

Here is Pope Francis’ Testament on Place of Burial, Why, Who's to Bear Cost, Final Prayer Intention: Full Text

Apr 21, 2025

The Vatican has released the testament of Pope Francis. The 88-year-old pontiff died on Easter Monday morning, April 21, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, as confirmed by the Holy See Press Office. He led the Catholic Church for just over 12 years.