By COTFONE
The world has today (Easter Monday) lost more than a religious leader. With the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88, we bid farewell to a global moral compass, an outspoken voice of justice, humility, and unwavering compassion in a time when the world needed it most.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was not just the head of the Catholic Church; he was a revolutionary bridge-builder in a deeply divided world.
The first pope from the Global South, the first Jesuit pope, and the first to take the name “Francis”, after Saint Francis of Assisi, patron of the poor and of ecology, he lived true to the values of simplicity, service, and social justice.
Humble Giant
Pope Francis led by example. He refused the grandeur of the papal palace, chose modest cars over limousines, and made it his mission to be among the people, especially the forgotten and the poor.
In a world obsessed with power and privilege, he reminded us that true leadership is rooted in humility, empathy, and presence.
His humility was not weakness. It was a courageous form of strength, a challenge to systems that thrive on oppression, greed, and exclusion.
A voice for the voiceless
What made Pope Francis unforgettable was his fearless outspokenness. He spoke uncomfortable truths to power. He challenged governments, corporations, and even fellow clergy to care more about people than profit.
He openly condemned war, corruption, and inequality. He stood with refugees, the disabled, the abused, and the displaced. He reminded us all that silence in the face of injustice is complicity.
His papacy gave hope to those who had been silenced. In Uganda and across Africa, his advocacy for human dignity resonated with those living in poverty, facing violence, or fighting for their basic rights.
A Green Pope for a Warming Planet
In 2015, Pope Francis released Laudato Si’, an encyclical on the environment that became one of the most powerful calls to action against climate change. He made it clear: climate change is not just an environmental issue, it’s a moral one.
He connected pollution, deforestation, and rising global temperatures to the suffering of the poor, who often bear the greatest burden.
In countries like Uganda, where communities are already battling droughts, floods, and vanishing biodiversity, his message echoed urgently. He called on the world, especially the rich and powerful, to act with urgency, to protect “our common home” for future generations.
His Legacy Lives On
As Catholics in Uganda and around the globe mourn, we are left with more than grief, we are left with a challenge. To live humbly. To speak boldly. To defend the planet. To protect the rights and dignity of all people, regardless of race, religion, gender, or status.
Pope Francis may have left this world, but his teachings and example will continue to inspire movements for justice, compassion, and peace.
May his soul rest in eternal peace. And may we honour him, not only with prayers, but with action.
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