Cardinal Antoine Kambanda has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis, describing it as a major loss for the global Catholic Church. The Pope died on Easter Monday, April 21, at the age of 88, during the Holy Year 2025, a period commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.“It is very sad that we lost His Holiness during this significant time. He was supposed to be celebrating with us, though we knew about his declining health,” said Kambanda.He revealed that Rwanda had extended an invitation for a papal visit, but Pope Francis was unable to travel due to health issues and a tight schedule.ALSO READ: Pope Francis dies on Easter Monday aged 88“We were still on the list of countries to be visited. He had planned a visit to the DR Congo, but instability and medical concerns led to its postponement,” Kambanda added.He recalled the Pope’s memorable visit in 2015 for the celebration of Uganda Martyrs, now recognised as saints, who died for their faith.Pope Francis, born in South America, led the Church with a mission to spread the Gospel globally and uplift smaller nations within the Church’s leadership.“He made it a point to appoint cardinals from countries that had never had one before. His aim was to ensure the Gospel reached all corners of the world,” Kambanda noted.In addition to championing evangelism, Pope Francis created a dedicated office for that purpose and consistently encouraged Catholics to pray and share the Gospel.ALSOREAD: Who will be the next pope after Francis? How does the selection process look like?“Now, we ask everyone to pray for him to rest in peace. But more importantly, we must carry forward his mission,” he said.Despite his frail health, Pope Francis remained spiritually engaged, recently joining in Easter celebrations and praying for those affected by conflict worldwide.Kambanda also praised the Pope’s support for Rwanda’s post-genocide healing and development.“He always encouraged us to embrace our history and continue our development journey. He didn’t want Rwanda left behind.”Kambanda called on believers to honor the Pope’s legacy by continuing his mission. “Let us keep spreading the Good News. This was his dream for the Church and for the world.”
