Since the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis made it clear that the margins of society would be at the heart of his ministry. Nowhere was this more evident than in his deep engagement with Africa, a continent he often praised for its vibrancy, resilience, and youthful faith. Through his visits, messages, and advocacy, Pope Francis emerged not only as a spiritual leader but as a pilgrim of peace, tirelessly calling for reconciliation, justice, and human dignity across African nations.

A Voice for the Forgotten: Africa in Pope Francis' Heart

Pope Francis consistently lifted Africa before the eyes of the global Church—not as a place of pity, but as a wellspring of faith and hope. He often spoke of Africa’s “rich spiritual heritage” and its “joyful, living faith” even amid immense trials. His concern was always pastoral and prophetic: addressing wounds caused by poverty, conflict, exploitation, and environmental degradation while encouraging Africans to be protagonists in their own future.

Key Papal Visits and Messages of Peace

1. Kenya, Uganda, and Central African Republic (November 2015)

On his first trip to Africa, Pope Francis chose to visit Kenya, Uganda, and the Central African Republic (CAR)—three countries symbolic of different challenges and hopes on the continent.

In Kenya, he spoke powerfully against corruption, inequality, and environmental destruction. He addressed interreligious leaders and emphasized that true faith leads to peace, not violence.

Pope Francis greets children with special needs during his visit to St Joseph the Worker Parish in Kangemi, one of the marginalised areas in Nairobi, Kenya

In Uganda, he honored the legacy of the Ugandan martyrs, calling young people to be courageous witnesses of faith and hope.

In CAR, amidst active conflict, he made history by opening the Holy Door of the Jubilee Year of Mercy in Bangui—a full week before it was opened in Rome—declaring the city “the spiritual capital of the world.” His act was a bold message: peace is not a distant dream; it begins wherever we are willing to forgive and build anew.

2. Mozambique, Madagascar, and Mauritius (September 2019)

In a region affected by poverty, political instability, and climate disasters, Pope Francis’ visit was marked by tenderness and resolve.

In Mozambique, he urged political leaders to continue their fragile peace process, following decades of civil war and unrest. He encouraged youth to be builders of a future that transcends vengeance.

In 2019, Pope Francis became the first pope to visit Mozambique in over 30 years, inspiring thousands of young people at an interreligious gathering and uplifting communities through visits to social ministries.

In Madagascar, he addressed issues of deforestation and economic injustice, calling for sustainable development rooted in care for people and creation.

Pope Francis arrives at the Akamasoa “Community of Good Friends” in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on September 8, 2019, highlighting his commitment to dignity, work, and solidarity among the poor. Photo Credit: Paul Haring/CNS

In Mauritius, he celebrated the country's multicultural harmony, urging it to continue being a place of interfaith respect and solidarity with the poor.

3. Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan (February 2023)

In one of his most anticipated and emotionally charged visits, Pope Francis went to DR Congo and South Sudan, both countries scarred by prolonged violence and internal displacement.

In Kinshasa, he condemned the exploitation of Africa’s natural resources by foreign powers and denounced the silence of the international community regarding the bloodshed in the eastern Congo. “Hands off Africa!” he proclaimed, drawing global attention to the human cost of greed and indifference.

In January 2023, Pope Francis celebrated a historic Mass in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, drawing over 1 million faithful—his third visit to Sub-Saharan Africa and a powerful testament to the Church’s living presence on the continent.

In South Sudan, Pope Francis was joined by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland in a rare ecumenical pilgrimage for peace. Their presence symbolized Christian unity in calling for an end to years of civil war. He met with internally displaced persons and urged political leaders to serve with integrity and compassion.

In February 2023, Pope Francis celebrated a historic Sunday Mass in Juba, South Sudan, gathering over 100,000 faithful in a heartfelt appeal for peace in the world’s youngest nation.

Recurring Themes: Dialogue, Fraternity, and Ecological Justice

Throughout his African journeys, Pope Francis’ message centered around three intertwined themes:

Peace through dialogue: He constantly advocated for honest dialogue as the only path to lasting peace—not armed conflict, political revenge, or ethnic rivalry.

Fraternity and social friendship: Inspired by Fratelli Tutti, he encouraged Africans to transcend divisions and build a society where differences are seen as a gift.

Care for our common home: Echoing his landmark encyclical Laudato Si' (2015), he called Africa’s youth to protect their rich biodiversity and traditional knowledge, warning of the damage caused by extractive industries.

A Legacy of Encouragement and Challenge: Africa and the Heart of the Church

Pope Francis' approach to Africa was deeply relational. He did not arrive with solutions from the top, but as a humble brother walking with the people. He sat with refugees, embraced survivors of war, and listened to the stories of children. His leadership reminded the global Church that peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, mercy, and dignity.

His legacy in Africa is one of hope grounded in realism: an invitation to choose dialogue over division, care over exploitation, and community over individualism.

In life and in death, Pope Francis leaves behind a profound testimony of solidarity with Africa. He brought the wounds of the continent into the sanctuary of the global conscience and affirmed that Africa is not a place on the periphery—but at the heart of the universal Church.

In a powerful gesture of humility and peace, Pope Francis shocked the world by kneeling to kiss the feet of South Sudanese leaders during a Vatican retreat in 2019, urging them to embrace reconciliation and end years of conflict.

May the seeds he planted—of peace, encounter, and love—continue to bear fruit through the faithful, courageous witness of the African people.

Farewell, Papa Franciscus. Africa will remember.