As it happened: How Catholic bishops lauded Pope Francis at National Requiem Mass

KAMPALA - The Catholic Bishops of Uganda have voiced their profound gratitude to Pope Francis for his practical demonstration of Jesus’ compassionate care and love, which he lavished on people indiscriminately.

The Prelates also acknowledged with admiration the deceased Pontiff’s pastoral zeal and commitment to the values of the gospel, a rich quality for which he was celebrated globally.

“Pope Francis demonstrated Christ-like compassionate care. He loved all people equally; the poor and the rich, the healthy and the sick. He extended his heart of mercy and encouragement to all. He encouraged us to love and serve people with humility.

Archbishop Luigi Bianco (holding a pastoral staff) and other Catholic Prelates sharing a photo moment with the Catholic volunteers and some members of the pastoral council of Kampala Archdiocese after the requiem mass. (All Photos by Mathias Mazinga)

Archbishop Luigi Bianco (holding a pastoral staff) and other Catholic Prelates sharing a photo moment with the Catholic nuns after mass.

“He travelled extensively; he made 47 journeys across the globe. He visited us here in 2015 and encouraged us to be committed to God, following the example of our holy Martyrs of Uganda. Even during the difficult time of COVID-19 when he was in physical isolation, he still found ways to reach his flock using the mass media.

His most powerful gesture was on March 27, 2020, when he offered a global blessing with the Blessed Sacrament, a symbol of hope.

“His homilies were characterised by God’s desire for all people to be close to one another, to journey together in communion, participation and service. - Like Saint Francis of Assisi his patron saint, he loved nature. He thus exalted humanity to protect and preserve Mother Earth for generations to come.”

The Prelates sharing a photo moment with Hon Robert Kyagulanyi and other politicians.

Vice-President Jessica Alupo (second-left) shares a photo moment with Archbishop Emmanuiel Obbo (left), the Apostolic Nuncio Luigi Bianco (holdng a pastoral staff), Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa (third-right), Nuncio Augustine Kasujja (second-right), Hon Kyofatogabye (right) and some of the Catholic clerics. This was during the requiem mass for Pope Francis at Lubaga Cathedral on April 25, 2025.

The excerpts from the condolence message of the Catholic Bishops were read out to the public by the reigning Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, the Most Rev Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa, during the national requiem mass for Pope Francis at Lubaga Cathedral on Friday (April 25, 2025).

The highly solemn and Pontifical mass was presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, His Excellency Archbishop Luigi Bianco, who acknowledged Pope Francis’ generous service to the Church and humanity with even deeper gratitude. The Nuncio later asked the Catholic faithful and all people of goodwill to emulate the deep faith, practical examples and values that the deceased Pontiff preached and lived out during his pontificate.

“His message centered on peace, forgiveness and God’s mercy. He demonstrated that God was always ready to forgive, to give newness of life to people to perform better. He saw joy as the message of the gospel; joy that gives fulfilment. He encouraged all people in their respective capacity to be agents of peace. Even in the last days of his life, he was preaching peace. Charity for the poor was also at the center of his message. On Holy Thursday, he visited Regina Coeli prison in Rome.

The Kampala minister, Hon Hajjat Minsa Kabanda signs the condolence book. This was during the memorial prayers for Pope Francis at Lubaga Cathedral on Friday, February 25, 2025.

The Chancellor of Kampala Archdiocese, Fr Dr Pius Male signs in the condolence book after opening it at Lubaga Cathedral on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

He was mindful of disadvantaged people and wanted to give them hope. He reminded all people that charity for the needy, the hungry, and the suffering, was a spiritual issue. He emphasized genuine personal encounters with God. He was devoted to Mary, the Mother of the Church. He always encouraged us to be faithful to the Gospel as ardent disciples of Jesus who gave his life to the Church and the human family,” the Nuncio said.

Archbishop Bianco finally urged the Catholic faithful to pray to the Holy Spirit to guide the College of Cardinals who will be electing a new Pope for the Church, next week (May 7, 2025).

In his message delivered for him by the Speaker of the Great Buganda Lukiiko, the Rt Hon Patrick Luwaga Mugumbule, Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga also spoke highly of Pope Francis describing him as a humble man of God whose life was a testimony of humility, empathy, compassion for the poor and total dedication to the common good.

The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Luigi Bianco delivers his homily during the solemn pontifical mass for Pope Francis at Lubaga Cathedral on Friday, April 25, 2025.

The head of the Catholic Laity of Kampala Archdiocese, Lady Emily Kitto Mwaka prays for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis at the deceased Pontiff's portrait. This was during the requiem mass at Lubaga Cathedral on Friday, April 25, 2025.

He asked the faithful and all people, to be inspired by the deceased Pontiff’s genuine love for humanity. He urged those in leadership to set up people-centred methods of work as a way of honouring his leadership legacy. He further put it to them to work for the unity of all people irrespective of their political, religious or ethnic affiliation.

The function was even more elevated by the Presence of the Vice-Presudent, Hon Jessica Alupo, who encouraged Ugandans to reciprocate Pope Francis’ wonderful legacy by promoting his good practices and the values he cherished.  

Alupo also President Museveni’s condolence message, which had already been sent to the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Sacred Heart Lubaga Cathedral Choir leading the singing during the requiem mass for Pope Francis at the Cathedral on Friday, April 25, 2025.

A spectacle of cultural leaders from Buganda Kingdom during the requiem mass.

The solemn pontifical mass was concelebrated by the Archbishop of Tororo, Emmanuel Obbo, the Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus, Archbishop Dr Augustine Kasujja, the Vicar-General of Kampala Archdiocese, Msgr Rogers Kabuye, the Secretary General of the Uganda Episcopal Conference Msgr John Baptist Kauta, and several other clerics. Over a dozen Papal Knights and Dames also attended the mass, adding even more glamour to the function.

Several politicians were also present. Among them, the minister for KCCA Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, the state minister (KCCA) Hon Kyofatgabye Kabuye, the President of NUP, Hon Robert Kyagulanyi, the leader of opposition in Parliament, Hon Joel Senyonyi, the Chairman of Wakiso district, Dr Matia Lwanga Bwanika, Hon John Ken Lukyamuzi and Hon Eugenia Nassolo, just to name a few.

Vice-President Jessica Alupo during mass.

Vice-President Jessica Alupo in prayer during the requiem mass for Pope Francis at Lubaga Cathedral on Friday, April 25, 2025.

Several members of the Diplomatic Corps, including the Ambassador of Italy, His Excellency Mauro Massoni, also graced the function.

The Catholic Church received several condolence messages, including one from the Shia Ismaili Muslim Community in Uganda.

Papal Knights immortalise Pope Francis 

As a practical way of supporting Pope Francis’ environmental conservation campaign, the Papal Knights and Dames, in partnership with Uganda Funeral Services, donated 2,000 tree seedlings, which were given out to the Christians for free.