The passing of Pope Francis has triggered an outpouring of grief across the globe, with tributes flooding in from world leaders and religious figures alike.
Among them, former President of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, paid a heartfelt tribute to the late pontiff, describing him as a moral giant whose compassion and leadership will be remembered for generations.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Mahama wrote:
“The world woke up to the sad news of Pope Francis’ passing. On behalf of my family and the people of Ghana, I extend heartfelt condolences to the Roman Catholic Church and all Catholic faithful in Ghana during this time of profound grief.
I fondly remember visiting the Vatican with my wife, Lordina, where we had the distinct honour of meeting Pope Francis.
His legacy of compassion, humility, and commitment to social justice will continue to inspire generations. His leadership and advocacy for the poor and marginalised resonate deeply.
May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for 12 transformative years, died on Monday morning at the age of 88 after battling recent health complications. He will be remembered for his unwavering advocacy for environmental stewardship, inclusion within the Church, and reforming deep-rooted institutional challenges, including sexual abuse scandals that rocked the Church.
The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference Ghana, Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, also paid tribute to the pontiff during an appearance on the Asaase Breakfast Show. He called Pope Francis a spiritual reformer and a leader chosen by divine will.
“We are shocked to hear the passing of the Holy Father. The Catholic Church and the whole world are mourning such a great leader,” Bishop Gyamfi said.
“He came in at a time when the Church was going through a crisis of sexual abuse and other challenges. He was able to stem this and put in place systems and teachings to lessen such problems in the Church. He will be very much missed.”
He went on to describe the unique role Pope Francis played in confronting the moral and spiritual issues facing modern society, particularly in the West, where materialism and moral relativism have taken root.
“Each Pope comes with a specific response to the needs of the time. Pope Francis was a Pope of compassion and reform, a leader who understood the spiritual hunger of today’s world,” Bishop Gyamfi added.
As preparations continue in the Vatican for Pope Francis’s funeral, attention now turns to the next chapter in the life of the Catholic Church.
Bishop Gyamfi offered insights into the conclave—the traditional process of electing a new pope—which is expected to commence 15 to 20 days after the pontiff’s death.
“There is an established procedure. We already know who will be in charge of affairs. Under our traditions and systems, preparations for burial will take place and then the cardinals will enter what we call the conclave,” he explained.
“Every Pope is chosen for us by the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of human beings. That is, the Cardinals.”
He emphasized that the conclave is a deeply spiritual and time-honored process, one that has guided the Church for centuries.
As the world prepares to bid farewell to a Pope who redefined papal leadership in the 21st century, many—like Mahama and Bishop Gyamfi—look back with reverence and gratitude, even as they look ahead with hope for a leader who will carry Pope Francis’s legacy forward.
