In Honour of the Life and Legacy of His Holiness

Pope Francis kisses a child as he arrives to lead his general audience in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican Sept. 3. (CNS photo/Fabio Frustaci, EPA)

By Fr Wenceslaus Wangila CMM of Mthatha Diocese – Pope Francis—a shepherd of souls, a beacon of hope, and a tireless advocate for love, mercy, and justice. For many of us, his passing is not just the loss of a leader but the departure of a father, a friend, and a guide who touched our lives in profound ways.

I remember vividly the moments when I had the privilege to serve as a deacon during his visit to Kenya, privileged to distribute Holy Communion. From the journey across the vast landscapes of Isiolo to the sacred halls of St Paul’s University graduation grounds with the blessings from above when skies opened, and finally to the cherished gathering at St Mary Msongari met the religious men and women, Pope Francis brought with him a presence that was both humble and divine. Part of his homily was centred on family, delivered with such warmth and wisdom, and remains etched in my heart, a reminder of the sacred bonds that unite us and the love that sustains us.

Pope Francis was a man of extraordinary compassion. He lived the Gospel not just in words but in action, embracing the marginalised. Who would have believed that the Holy Father, the Pope, would visit children in a slum(township)? The comforting message that he shared with the afflicted, challenging us all to see Christ in the faces of the poor and the forgotten, especially not being comfortable with the middle classes and the elite, whom most of the time we feel comfortable serving and interacting with. For sure, His papacy was a testament to the power of simplicity and humility. He chose to live among us, to walk with us, and to lead us not with grandeur but with grace.

His teachings on family, faith, and the environment were not mere sermons but calls to action, urging us to care for one another and for the world we share. He reminded us that greatness is found in mercy, that holiness is rooted in love, and that the Church is not a fortress but a home for all.

As we bid farewell to this extraordinary man, we do so with hearts full of gratitude. Gratitude for the bridges he built, the hope he restored, and the light he brought into our lives. His departure leaves a silence, but it is not empty. It is filled with echoes of his love, his courage, and his unwavering faith.

Holy Father Francis, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, and you have kept the faith. May you now rest in the eternal embrace of the Father you served so faithfully. And may we, the ones you loved, carry your light forward, living as you lived, loving as you loved, and changing the world as you changed it.