Africans remember Pope Francis as a Christian leader who had the continent at heart

NAIROBI, Kenya (OSV News) -- As Pope Francis' death hits home for Catholics and non-Catholics in Africa, many remember him as a Christian leader who had the continent at heart.

African nations and cities from Cairo to Cape Town also wonder whether one of their 18 cardinals will stay in Rome as the next pope.

According to the Pew Research Center, cardinals south of the Sahara make up 12% of the electors. When Francis became pope in 2013, the figure was 8%. Only one of the African cardinal-electors was not picked by Pope Francis.

The African continent is home to over 270 million, or nearly 20%, of the world's Catholics. Visiting 10 countries during his five apostolic trips to Africa, Pope Francis spoke about economic exploitation and corruption, refugees and migrants, interreligious dialogue and tolerance, peace and conflict, and climate change.

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, president of the Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, known as SECAM, said the entire church and family of God in Africa and its Islands joined the universal church in mourning the pope.

"Pope Francis has been more than a shepherd to the Universal Church, he has been a profound source of inspiration, particularly to us in Africa," said Cardinal Ambongo Besungu in an African bishops' condolence message on April 21.

The pontiff's commitment to social justice, peace and dignity, according to the archbishop of Kinshasa, resonated deeply with Africa's struggles and aspirations. Francis took time to understand the people's realities, listen to their stories, he said, and amplified their voices on the global stage.

"His visits to various countries on the continent brought hope and love to countless people and reaffirmed the Church's commitment to being a family," said the cardinal, who is listed as one of the "papabili," or top papal candidates.

He reflected on Pope Francis encyclicals, particularly "Fratelli Tutti," his 2020 encyclical on human fraternity, saying they championed the dignity of all, urging the people to embrace a culture of encounter and fraternity.

According to the cardinal, Francis' advocacy for the environment and his emphasis on the importance of dialogue inspired Africa to take action on pressing issues facing the communities today. He released the encyclical "Laudato Si'" on environmental care in 2015.

"He courageously called us to embrace the spirit of synodality, encouraging all members of the church to walk together, listen to one another and build a more inclusive and loving community," said the cardinal, adding that the continent will honor Francis' life by continuing his mission and service.

The majority of the Catholics in Africa are in Congo, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.

Pope Francis visited Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic in November 2015.

In Nairobi, he celebrated Mass in Kangemi shantytown, where he criticized urban poverty and the injustice of urban exclusion.

Archbishop Anthony Muheria of Nyeri said Pope Francis had reawaked in the church the greater concern for the marginalized, and expanded the heart of mercy among the Christians.

"A true icon, but above all, a Father and a Shepherd," he said.

Visiting the Central African Republic at the peak of the Seleka Muslim coalition forces and Christian conflict, Francis urged both sides to lay down their weapons and "arm yourselves instead with righteousness, with love and mercy, the authentic guarantors of peace."

In 2017, he made a two-day visit to Egypt. While there, he signed the document on human fraternity for world peace and living together with Sheikh Ahmad el-Tayeb, grand imam of Egypt's Al-Azhar mosque.

In his tribute, Sheikh el-Tayeb remembered Francis as a man who had dedicated his life to serving humanity, advocating for the oppressed, refugees and the marginalized, and promoting dialogue and understanding among religions and culture.

"He was a true friend to Muslims, sincere in his pursuit of peace, and his final statements, particularly in defense of Palestine and the oppressed people of Gaza, remain etched in our memories," said Sheikh el-Tayeb in a statement.

In 2019, at the invitation of King Mohammed VI, Pope Francis visited Morocco. During the visit, he toured a rural center of social service and a migrant assistance center. Due to its proximity to Europe, Morocco has become a key transit point for migrants who are fleeing African conflict and and trying to enter Europe.

At the time he made the visit, there were about 50,000 migrants in the mainly Muslim country, with 4,000 of them being cared for by Caritas.

In September that same year, he visited Mozambique, Mauritius and Madagascar -- affected by jihadist violence.

In an iconic six-day tour of Congo and South Sudan in the winter of 2023, he invited the Congolese people to forgive those who have committed inhuman violence against them as he called for an end to the mineral war there and slammed what he called an "economic colonialism" mentality that Africa is to be exploited.

"Hands off the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hands off Africa," said Francis. "It's not a mine to be stripped or terrain to be plundered."

In Juba, the capital of South Sudan, Francis begged the leaders of the world's youngest nation to end the war and bloodshed.

Besides Cardinal Ambongo Besungu, another of the 18 African cardinals who will participate in the conclave -- and remembered Francis as Africa's champion -- is considered papabili: Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea, who was long head of the Vatican's Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.