Africa's Leaders React to Pope Francis' Death

African leaders are expressing profound sadness following the death of Pope Francis. Kenyan President William Ruto was among the first to publicly mourn the pontiff, taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday to praise Francis’s legacy. Ruto specifically highlighted the Pope’s “servant leadership,” noting his humility, dedication to inclusivity and justice, and genuine compassion for those most in need. The Vatican released an image of Pope Francis through Vatican Pool, further underscoring the global impact of his passing. This loss is keenly felt across the continent, where Pope Francis made significant efforts to connect with communities and advocate for peace and development. His emphasis on social justice resonated deeply, and his death marks the end of an era for many African Catholics and beyond. The outpouring of grief demonstrates the Pope’s considerable influence and the respect he garnered throughout his time as leader of the Catholic Church.