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.
In various statements, Catholic Bishops in Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, and São Tomé and Príncipe recall Pope Frances as a great Church reformer and highlight his pastoral vision and care for the poor.
Kevin Joseph Cardinal Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy See’s Apostolic Chamber, officially announced the Holy Father’s passing in a video message at the Vatican on April 21. He said that Pope Francis had passed on “at 7:35 this morning.”
Hours later, Vatican physician, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, announced that the Holy Father had died from a stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiovascular collapse. He had led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 years.
In a statement issued April 21, Arlindo Cardinal Gomes Furtado of the Catholic Diocese of Santiago in Cape Verde says the death of Pope Francis is “a great loss” for the Church, but one that leaves behind “an unforgettable and impactful legacy of reform.”
“He was one of the great leaders the Church has had in recent times. It is a great loss, but he leaves an unforgettable and impactful legacy for reform and the Church’s role in the world,” Cardinal Furtado says.
He adds, “Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the great reformers of the Church.”
“Pope Francis was a friend of Cape Verde and had plans to visit the country. The date was not specified, but I assumed that, at least by the end of the year, he would be able to visit Cape Verde,” Cardinal Furtado says in his message.
He notes that the Bishop of Rome leaves behind “much longing, much gratitude, and much faith and hope.”
“Pope Frncis belongs to the group of good and faithful servants, those who sought to distribute in due time and to everyone their measure of wheat, that is, of the word, of the light, which is the gospel, of the hope that is Jesus Christ, of friendship, solidarity and care,” the Cardinal says.
On his part, Bishop Ildo Augusto dos Santos Lopes Fortes of the Catholic Diocese of Mindelo in Cape Verde has described the Pope as “a father, a friend, and a brother close to his flock, to all humanity—and especially a friend of the poor, the oppressed, migrants, and the unjustly treated.”
“Pope Francis sought to reveal to us the merciful face of God, who is the Father of all and dreams of a humanity in which everyone has the right to live with dignity as children of God and to share this planet as brothers and sisters,” Bishop dos Santos says in his April 21 message.
He adds, “We entrust him to the eternal care of the Good Shepherd and of the Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope.”
Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio was aged 76 when he was elected Pope. He took the name Pope Francis in honour of St. Francis of Assisi. He was the first Latin American Pope and the first from the Society of Jesus (SJ/Jesuits).
Meanwhile, members of the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique (CEM) have described the late Pontiff as “a man of God, of unwavering faith, of the Church and the people, an untiring shepherd and prophetic voice for the poor and marginalized.”
In a statement issued April 21, CEM members say, “As a true brother to the Church in Mozambique, Pope Francis taught us to be a Church that ‘goes forth,’ committed to healing and unity.”
“Rest in peace, Pope Francis. Your witness will remain alive in the hearts of the Mozambican people,” the Catholic Bishops implore.
On his part, Archbishop Claudio Dalla Zuanna of the Catholic Archdiocese of Beira in Mozambique described Pope Francis as “a man of faith in word, a pastor close to the people, and a prophet of mercy and justice.”
Addressing journalists on April 21, Archbishop Zuanna said, “Pope Francis made history with his simplicity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the most vulnerable. From the beginning of his pontificate, he called for an evangelizing Church that goes to the peripheries.”
“In this moment of mourning, the Archdiocese of Beira joins the College of Cardinals, the Holy See, the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique, and all Catholic faithful in prayers for Pope Francis’s eternal rest,” he said.
In Anola, the President of the Bishops’ Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (CEAST) said, “Pope Francis leaves us the image of a good shepherd. A pastor who interpreted the values of the Gospel, embraced poverty, and championed the Gospel of life as his missionary purpose.”
Addressing journalists on April 21, Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba described Pope Francis as someone who “opened doors to dialogue, fraternity, peace, and concern for ecology.”
He said these values “will be remembered, as he fostered a welcoming and socially responsible world.”
“We are grateful for this legacy — for the lesson in love, detachment, fraternity, hospitality, and solidarity, especially with the most vulnerable,” the Local Ordinary of Angola’s Catholic Archdiocese of Saurimo said.
Also speaking during the April 21 press conference, the Apostolic Nuncio in Angola said Pope Francis dedicated his entire life to the Church.
“His whole life was devoted to serving the Lord and the Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poor and marginalized,” Archbishop Kryspin Witold Dubiel said.
He added, “Let us pray for the Pope who has returned to the Father’s house.”
On his part, Archbishop Filomeno do Nascimento Vieira Dias of Angola’s Catholic Archdiocese of Luanda reflected on Pope Francis’ dedication to peace and conflict resolution worldwide.
“He was deeply concerned about Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan, and Eastern Congo. Peace was a constant concern of all Popes, and Francis did all he could to encourage world leaders to act for peace,” Archbishop Dias told journalists.
He added, “The Pope had expressed his desire to visit Angola, but God had other plans. We hope the next Pope will fulfill that wish.”
In a statement issued April 21, President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço lauds the Pope’s bold actions in reforming outdated Church positions.
He describes the Pope’s passing as “a severe blow to the world and a tremendous loss for Catholics, who saw him as a beacon of hope in building a more just and balanced world.”
President Lourenço eulogizes the Pope as “a shrewd interpreter of modern concerns, who bravely reformed the Church and addressed questions of diversity with boldness.”
“In the name of the Angolan government and in my own, I offer heartfelt condolences to the Vatican and the global Catholic community on the loss of this exceptional universal figure,” the President says in his statement.
In São Tomé and Príncipe, Bishop João de Ceita Nazaré of the Catholic Diocese of São Tomé e Príncipe invites the people of God to pray for the repose of the soul of the late Pontiff.
“His return to the Father’s house leaves us submerged in universal mourning, but also grateful for the luminous witness of Gospel life that the Holy Father has left us,” Bishop Nazaré says in a statement issued April 21.
He describes Pope Francis as a “man of prayer, a humble and steadfast pastor, a defender of the poor and marginalized.”
“Pope Francis led the Church with wisdom, tenderness, and courage, building bridges of dialogue in a world marked by division and suffering,” the Catholic Bishop adds.
He invites the people of God to “unite in prayer, begging the Lord of life to welcome our beloved Pope into His infinite mercy and grant him eternal rest in the glory of the heavenly Kingdom.”
In Guinea-Bissau, the President of the Republic has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis, calling the passing on of the Supreme Pontiff “a great loss for the Catholic Church and for all people of goodwill who share the universal values of humanism, fraternity, kindness, and charity.”
“Pope Francis will remain in the collective memory as a great example of humility, devotion, faith, and self-giving,” President Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embaló says in a statement issued April 21.
He remembers the Holy Father as “a courageous and consistent defender of the right of all peoples to freedom and well-being,” as well as “a tireless promoter of interreligious dialogue and the fight against poverty, social inequality, and all forms of discrimination.”
“In this moment of sorrow and dismay, the Presidency of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau conveys its condolences to the Holy See, to the Catholic community in the country, and to the Christian community in general, highlighting the importance of the spiritual and human legacy left by Francis, whose pontificate deeply marked the contemporary world,” President Embaló says.
Pope Francis’ 12-year pontificate was characterized by a focus on mercy, care for creation, and attention to what he called the “peripheries” of both the Church and society.
He made 47 apostolic journeys outside Italy, though he never visited his native Argentina.
During his tenure, Pope Francis canonized 942 Saints — more than any other Pope in history — including his predecessors John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II.
He published four encyclicals and seven apostolic exhortations while promulgating 75 motu proprio documents.
