National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula joined millions mourning the demise of Pope Francis, who passed on this Monday, April 21, 2025, aged 88.
Wetang’ula, a Catholic privileged to meet the Pope in person during his visit to Vatican City in August last year, took to his X page to express his heartfelt sorrows.
In a statement shared on Monday, April 21, 2025, moments after news of the death was announced, Wetang’ula mourned the Argentine-born pope.
“With deep sorrow and a profound sense of loss, I join millions across the world in mourning the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis. A beacon of humility, compassion, and social justice, Pope Francis dedicated his life to serving God and humanity,” he said.
The speaker shared a memorable reflection of the pontiff’s tenure, which he termed as one that demonstrated the true embodiment of the Christian virtues of love and forgiveness.
“Through his words and actions, he embodied Christ’s teachings of love, mercy, and forgiveness, championing the dignity of every human being, regardless of race, nationality, or status. His encyclicals, Evangelii Gaudium and Fratelli Tutti, challenged us to become instruments of peace and fraternity, while his devotion to Marian spirituality and the Eucharist deepened the faith of millions,” part of Wetang’ula’s statement read.
Meanwhile, the Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS), Musalia Mudavadi, also joined Wetang’ula in lauding the deceased pontiff.
Mudavadi termed Pope Francis’ tenure at the helm of the Catholic Church as one of compassion and unity.
“A light to the world has dimmed. Today, we mourn the passing of Pope Francis, a shepherd of hope, peace, and unwavering faith. His legacy of compassion and unity will endure across generations. May he rest in eternal peace, Mudavadi’s statement read.
News of Pope’s death was announced a few minutes before midday on Monday.
His demise came weeks after he was discharged from a Rome hospital, having battled a life-threatening case of pneumonia in both lungs.
Born in Argentina on December 17, 1936. Pope, whose real name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, became the first Latin-American pontiff in 2013 and was one of the oldest popes in the church’s history at the time of his death.