Uganda Will Not Send Delegation for Pope’s Burial

The Catholic Church in Uganda says it is not preparing to send a delegation to the Vatican for Pope Francis’ sendoff. 

The 88-year-old pontiff died on Monday following a stroke and cardiac arrest, after spending several weeks in the hospital earlier this year for double pneumonia. 

While at the Lubaga Cathedral, where a condolence book has been opened, Father Pius Male Ssentumbwe, Chancellor of the Kampala Archdiocese, stated that there are no specific delegations from Uganda attending the Pope’s burial at the Vatican.

“There are no plans for a special delegation from Uganda to attend the burial. However, Ugandan seminarians and priests in Rome will represent the country at the Vatican. Instead, we have been asked to hold special prayers across the country, in dioceses, parishes, and homes.” Father Ssentubwe said.

He, however, noted that the Kampala Archdiocese, in conjunction with the Uganda Episcopal Conference in Nsabya and consultation with the Papal Nuncio in Mbuya, has organised a requiem mass for the Pope. The mass will be led by the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Luigi Bianco, at Lubaga Cathedral on Friday.

On Uganda’s strong attachment to the Pope, Ssentumbwe noted that Uganda was among the fortunate countries to have hosted the Pope shortly after his election, which underscored the Pope’s affection for Uganda.

When asked about the Church’s stance on prayers for an African pope, Ssentumbwe said having an African pope would be a great blessing for the African Church, but emphasised that the focus should be on praying for a worthy and effective leader, rather than a specific outcome.