As millions of Christians across the globe celebrated Easter Monday marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the world was thrown into mourning as Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church breathed his last.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Moses Wetangโula joined millions of Catholics across the globe in mourning the death of His Holiness, Pope Francis, describing him as โa spiritual beacon of humility, love, and justice.โ
In a heartfelt tribute, Speaker Wetangโula, a devout Catholic, expressed profound sorrow at the passing of the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and Sovereign of the Vatican City State.
โIt is with deep sorrow and a profound sense of loss that I have received the news of the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis,โ said Wetangโula. โHe was a spiritual shepherd who dedicated his life to the service of God and humanity.โ
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Wetangโula described Pope Francis as a tireless advocate for the poor and the marginalized, whose legacy will forever be etched in the hearts of the faithful.
โHis Holiness embodied the very essence of Christโs teachings urging us to embrace love, mercy, and forgiveness. He championed the cause of the marginalized, tirelessly advocating for the dignity of every human being,โ he said.
Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America and the first Jesuit pope, will be remembered for his efforts to steer the Church toward humility, reform, and compassion.
His papacy was marked by groundbreaking encyclicals such as Laudato Siโ, which called for global action on climate change, and Fratelli Tutti, a powerful call for human fraternity.
Speaker Wetangโula further highlighted the Popeโs push for synodality in the Church, fostering inclusive dialogue and shared leadership.
โHe reaffirmed the role of the Church as a moral compass in society calling for integrity, transparency, and accountability in both ecclesiastical and global governance,โ he said.
Quoting Scripture, Wetangโula offered a message of hope and spiritual reflection to the global Catholic community:
โAs we mourn his passing, we also celebrate his extraordinary life and the legacy of faith, love, and humility that he leaves behind. We take solace in the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: โI am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they dieโ (John 11:25).โ
Pope Francisโ death marks the end of a historic era defined by compassion, courageous leadership, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel.
โMay his soul rest in eternal peace in the glory of Godโs Kingdom,โ Wetangโula concluded. โMay his example continue to inspire us to walk in the path of Christ.โ
The world stands in mourning. Bells toll from the spires of cathedrals, and faithful Catholics bow their heads in prayer, grief, and gratitude. In Kenya, the sense of loss is deeply felt particularly within the heart of one of the countryโs most prominent Catholic public servants.
