Pope Francis and Kenya: A Legacy Rooted in Justice, Peace, and the Poor

The death of Pope Francis, the first Jesuit and Latin American pontiff, marks the end of an era defined by humility, compassion, and a fierce commitment to social justice. For Africa—and Kenya in particular—his papacy was not a distant echo from Rome, but a resonant voice that spoke directly to the soul of the continent.

A Pope Who Walked with the Poor

Pope Francis will be remembered as the “Pope of the Poor”—a title he not only accepted but embodied. From his early days in Buenos Aires to his visits to the slums of Nairobi, Francis made it clear that the Church must be close to those on the margins.

When he visited Kenya in 2015, one of his most profound engagements was not with the political elite but with the residents of Kangemi, an informal settlement in Nairobi. Speaking from a modest church, he declared:

“These are unjust situations, but you are not alone. The Church is with you; the Pope is with you.”

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For many Kenyans, especially the urban poor, this was more than a symbolic gesture. It was a radical affirmation of their dignity.

A Voice Against Corruption

Francis did not shy away from challenging governments. In Nairobi, during a State House address, he spoke boldly against corruption, calling it “a cancer” that eats away at the society.

“Corruption is like sugar; we like it, it’s easy, but then we get sick. And when we get sick from it, we end up being diabetic.”

This blunt metaphor made headlines across Kenya, a country where anti-corruption rhetoric often lacks the moral force and courage that Pope Francis demonstrated. His message struck a chord with civil society and religious institutions pushing for transparency.

Climate Justice and Care for Creation

Francis was a global advocate for climate justice, but his message found deep resonance in Africa—a continent that contributes least to global emissions but suffers most from their effects.

In his encyclical Laudato Si’, he wrote:

“The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.”

During his Nairobi visit, he reminded Kenyans of their sacred duty to protect nature:

“We have a responsibility to pass on the beauty of nature, in its integrity, to future generations.”

Kenya’s growing environmental movement, including forest defenders, climate activists, and renewable energy champions, found inspiration in his spiritual framing of ecology.

A Papacy of Reconciliation

Pope Francis also worked to reconcile a Church wounded by clerical abuse, colonial legacies, and internal divisions. In Africa, where the Catholic Church is growing rapidly, he encouraged local leadership and cultural inclusion in worship.

In Kenya, where religious and ethnic tensions periodically flare up, his call for unity was especially powerful:

“Tribalism destroys a nation. It is like having your hands tied behind your back.”

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At Kasarani Stadium, addressing Kenyan youth, he urged them to be agents of peace and justice, challenging them to stand against tribalism and radicalization.

The African Church at the Centre

Unlike many of his predecessors, Francis did not view Africa as merely a missionary frontier. He saw the continent as central to the global Church’s future. His appointments of African cardinals and vocal support for African concerns gave the continent a more powerful voice in Rome.

In doing so, he helped shift the narrative—from one of pity to partnership, from margin to center.

A Humble Pontiff, A Lasting Legacy

Francis chose simplicity over pomp. He washed the feet of prisoners, lived in modest quarters, and often set aside speeches to speak from the heart. His authenticity resonated across Africa’s churches, where pastoral closeness is cherished.

Even in death, his legacy endures—in the prayers of the faithful, in the courage of young reformers, in the hope of the poor, and in the resilience of the Church across Africa.

Final Thoughts

Pope Francis’s love for Africa was not a passing sentiment. It was a deliberate, sustained embrace of a continent full of spiritual vigor and social challenge. In Kenya, we remember him not just as a pope, but as a fellow pilgrim who walked with us—if only for a while—but left footprints that will guide us for generations to come.

“May you always be generous in the service of others, and ever ready to build a society of justice, solidarity and peace.”

– Pope Francis, Nairobi, 2015.

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