MK Party describes late Pope as advocate for peace and reconciliation

Pope Francis looks on during an exclusive interview with Reuters, at the Vatican, July 2, 2022.

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A fierce advocate for peace and reconciliation is how the Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has described the late Pope Francis.

Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday morning.

He was 88, and had suffered a serious bout of double pneumonia this year, but his death came as a shock after he had been driven around St. Peter’s Square in an open-air popemobile to greet cheering crowds on Easter Sunday.

Related video | Reaction to passing of Pope Francis

MKP has extended its condolences to the Catholic Church and the global Christian community and has implored mourners to celebrate a life lived in service to humanity and guided by deep moral conviction.

The party says it will remember the first Pope from the global south for his commitment to the poor, his stance on climate justice, and his efforts to build bridges across religious, racial and cultural divides resonated with people of all faiths and backgrounds.

[MEDIA STATEMENT]: UMKHONTO WESIZWE PARTY MOURNS THE PASSING OF POPE FRANCIS. pic.twitter.com/BZIk8BPC49

— uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (Official) (@MkhontoweSizwex) April 21, 2025