Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has eulogized Pope Francis as a true example of servant leadership.
Speaking Friday when he joined the faithful at a requiem Mass of the late His Holiness Pope Francis at Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi County, Kenyatta remarked that late Pope was truly a man who walked in the path of giving dignity to human life, regardless of whichever position one found themselves in.
“The Pope chose to serve and not to be served. He was truly a man who walked in the path of giving dignity to human life, regardless of whichever position one found themselves in,” he said.
The Mass was organized in collaboration with the Apostolic Nunciature and the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, commemorated the pontiff’s pastoral witness and enduring legacy and was conducted by the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, Bert Van Megen.
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at 7:35, at the age of 88, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.
His demise was announced by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.” said Cardinal Kevin Ferrell
The Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on Friday, February 14, 2025, after suffering from a bout of bronchitis for several days.
Pope Francis’ clinical situation gradually worsened, and his doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia on Tuesday, February 18.
After 38 days in hospital, the late Pope returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.
In 1957, in his early 20s, Jorge Mario Bergoglio underwent surgery in his native Argentina to remove a portion of his lung that had been affected by a severe respiratory infection.
As he aged, Pope Francis frequently suffered bouts of respiratory illnesses, even cancelling a planned visit to the United Arab Emirates in November 2023 due to influenza and lung inflammation.
In April 2024, the late Pope Francis approved an updated edition of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites, which will guide the funeral Mass which has yet to be announced.
The second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis introduces several new elements, including how the Pope’s mortal remains are to be handled after death.
The ascertainment of death takes place in the chapel, rather than in the room where he died, and his body is immediately placed inside the coffin.
According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, the late Pope Francis had requested that the funeral rites be simplified and focused on expressing the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ.
“The renewed rite,” said Archbishop Ravelli, “seeks to emphasise even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world.”
Friday’s mass was also attended by Chief Justice Martha Koome, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, among other national leaders.
Also read https://www.kbc.co.ke/details-of-pope-francis-interment/
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