Catholics in Ghana have gathered on Friday at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra for a solemn Requiem Mass, offering prayers and tributes in honor of the late Pope Francis. The service brought together clergy, religious leaders, and members of the faithful community to commemorate the life and legacy of the pontiff who passed away last Monday at the age of 88.
Footage from the event showed the dignified assembly of clergy, religious leaders, and members of the Catholic community coming together to pay their respects and offer prayers for the peaceful rest of the late Pope's soul.
During the Mass, the president of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, The Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, delivered a moving address, praising Pope Francis for his defining characteristic. He highlighted the late Pope's humility, stating, “You chose the name Francis, not for grandeur, but for mission — the pledge to rebuild Christ’s church through simplicity, solidarity with the poor, and reverence for creation.”
Bishop Gyamfi emphasized the widespread impact of Pope Francis's message, noting how people from all walks of life felt connected to him: "The world mourns—African bishops, Bosnian Muslims, climate scientists, street children, indeed, all Catholics, each saying, Thank you, Francis, for showing us that the gospel is not primarily a rule book but a story of divine love. Francis, sail on, good shepherd."
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, also offered reflections, describing Pope Francis as a significant figure for unity and compassion. He quoted President John Mahama, emphasizing the Pope's advocacy for the continent: "President John Mahama also wishes to establish on behalf of the government and people of Ghana that we consider the passing of the Pope as the passing of a champion for Africa. He was a chief advocate for the continent.”
Bishop Joseph Kwaku Afrifah-Agyekum of Koforidua further underscored the late Pope's role in fostering unity and his commitment to environmental stewardship. He characterized Pope Francis simply as “a simple man who lived a life of humility” and observed that his leadership provided a powerful example for all pastors to follow.
Following the heartfelt tributes to Pope Francis, attention turned to a topic of significant interest: the possibility of an African succeeding him. The Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi shared his thoughts on his friend and fellow cardinal, Peter Turkson, a prominent Ghanaian cardinal seen by many as a potential candidate to become the first African pope in history.
Bishop Gyamfi spoke about his long-standing relationship with Cardinal Turkson: "He taught me scripture for many years, and when he was made a bishop and I was made a bishop, he was then the president of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, a position that I now hold," he explained. "He taught me the ABCs of what to do as a bishop. And we had a very, very good relationship.”
Rev. Gyamfi also drew parallels between Cardinal Turkson and the late pontiff, noting their shared virtues. "He is a holy man. He's very intelligent, he's sensitive to the needs of other people, and he will go to all lengths to help the other person. There are very, very wonderful similarities between him and Pope Francis, so I will not be surprised if he's even found to be a worthy successor by the cardinals,” he remarked.
Looking ahead to the selection of the next Pope, Bishop Gyamfi expressed the Church's readiness for the decision guided by faith: "The Church is ever ready for whomever the Holy Spirit chooses for us,” he said, before adding a hopeful declaration: "The world is ready for a Black Pope."
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the first pope to hail from the Global South. He served as pontiff from 2013, following the resignation of Benedict XVI. His nearly twelve-year papacy was marked by a focus on crucial issues such as social justice, climate change, migration, and advocating for the world's most vulnerable populations. His progressive stance sometimes drew both support and criticism from different parts of the Church. He passed away after a period of ill health, including a battle with pneumonia earlier in the year, ultimately succumbing to a stroke and heart failure.
According to Viory, the cardinals of the Catholic Church will convene soon in Rome for the Conclave, the traditional and secret process of electing the new Pope. With the increasing significance of the Church in the Global South, particularly in Africa and Asia, figures from these regions, including Cardinal Turkson, are considered notable possibilities for the next leader of the world's Catholics.