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Pope Francis meets with people as he unexpectedly appears during the Palm Sunday Mass in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican, April 13, 2024.
South Africans have joined the world in paying tribute to Pope Francis, who passed on Monday morning at the age of 88.
He was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
On Sunday, Pope Francis made a brief appearance on the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The 88-year-old Pope, limiting his workload on doctors’ orders, did not preside over the Vatican’s Mass for Easter but appeared at the end of the event for a twice-yearly blessing and message known as the “Urbi et Orbi”, meaning ” to the city and the world.”
Pope Francis sought to overhaul the Catholic Church during his reign.
The Pope was discharged from hospital last month after surviving a serious bout of double pneumonia.
His death was announced in the morning by the Vatican.
Many Capetonians say they are saddened by the passing of the Pope.
“I’m very saddened, and I feel like a big part of the church has been taken away. He had a lot to say for the poorest of the poor and for the needy.
“I am sorry for his loss. I think it means there’s got to come a change with regards to biblical truth, and in that sense I mean all truth.”
“Its a big loss because the Pope is seen as a father figure in the Christian world.”
“The Pope was an incredible man of God, and it saddens me that he has left this planet. He did a lot of good for a lot of people, but at the same time, I know he’s gone to be with Jesus, and that’s an amazing thing.”
Some KwaZulu-Natal residents believe Pope Francis’s passing comes at the time when the world is in need of spiritual guidance.
“I heard about his passing from my sister at first, I could not believe it…………it is a very sad day and for Christians all around the world, especially on Easter Monday like this also it’s emotional and he was also quite sick for a long time.”
Members of the Cathedral of Christ the King Church in Johannesburg, Gauteng have described Pope Francis, as a leader who advocated for love, peace and unity. The church has opened its doors to those who would wish to pay their respects to the Pope.
The Christian community across the world is mourning the Pope’s unexpected death.
“It’s quite unfortunate, we lost the holy father, the Pope, Pope Francis. He was one of the most humble Popes in the century. He came up with a lot of reformation with the Catholic Church and the whole Christian community and the whole Christiandom. I’m mourning for the great loss of the Pope.”
“The Pope was a servant of the Lord. A servant of the people, with strong morals. He advocated for peace, he advocated for love and unity. He looked after the people of this world, and he always wanted us to stand together, as a nation, as the world, as Christians all around the world.”
Some of the local Catholic leaders believe this is a crucial time for the church to unite. Father Tsholofelo Motloni is a dean at Molopo in Mmbatho in the North West.
“We are united in prayer, so that we pray for the one who will take over after Pope Francis. And we are grateful that he has served the church. And we say he must just rest in peace. As the church prepares itself during this time of difficulty and mourning.”
