Speaker Wetang’ula pays tribute to Pope Francis at Vatican State funeral

Vatican City, 
Saturday, April 27, 2025

The weight of history, the silence of sorrow, and the echo of sacred chants enveloped St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Saturday, as His Holiness Pope Francis was laid to rest in a State Requiem Mass attended by world leaders, ecclesiastical authorities, and the global Catholic faithful.

Among those present was Kenya’s Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Masika Wetang’ula, who joined His Excellency President William Samoei Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, as the nation of Kenya stood in solidarity with the Universal Church.

 “Today, in the sacred embrace of St. Peter’s Square, I joined fellow mourners in commending the soul of Pope Francis to eternal peace. His Holiness was a voice of humility in a divided world, a shepherd whose example calls us all to walk the path of service and mercy,” said Speaker Wetang’ula.

The State Funeral, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, was a deeply moving ceremony marked by solemn rites and poignant symbolism. Monsignor Diego Giovanni Ravelli, the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations, guided the sacred proceedings, while the Cappella Musicale Pontificia Sistina lifted prayers in timeless Gregorian chant.

“The Pontiff’s life reminds us that true greatness is not in power, but in the power to uplift the poor, comfort the afflicted, and lead by example,” added the Speaker, who stood among foreign dignitaries and emissaries representing over 80 countries.

A sea of mourners filled the square, and the Pontifical Swiss Guard, clad in Renaissance-era uniforms, rendered their final honour to the late Supreme Pontiff Jorge Mario Bergoglio the first pope from the Global South, who will be remembered as the conscience of our times.

Speaker Wetang’ula’s presence underscored Kenya’s deep-rooted ties with the Vatican and the global Catholic community. His participation in the Vatican’s Novemdiales the nine days of mourning observed after a pope’s burial marks a solemn diplomatic gesture and a profound moment of interfaith respect.

“The Book of the Gospels placed on his coffin wasn’t just a symbol; it was a testimony of how he lived preaching not only with his voice, but with his very life,” Wetang’ula noted. “As Speaker of a House that represents millions, I reflect on how Pope Francis called upon leaders worldwide to govern with compassion, justice, and integrity.”

The nine-day mourning rite continues until May 5, with daily Requiem Masses in St. Peter’s Basilica. Dioceses worldwide from Nairobi to Manila, Buenos Aires to Budapest have joined in solidarity through local memorials, rosary vigils, and Eucharistic Adoration.

In his tribute, President Ruto hailed Pope Francis as “a moral lighthouse in turbulent times,” while Hon. Mudavadi praised his courage to disturb the comfort of the elite in defence of the poor.

As the Vatican prepares for the eventual succession process which historically begins at the close of the Novemdiales Wetang’ula reflected on the enduring message Pope Francis leaves behind.

 “he was not just a religious leader, but a servant of humanity. The bells of Rome toll for a man whose legacy will echo far beyond these walls across borders, across faiths, and across generations,” noted Speaker Wetang’ula. 

Requiescat in pace, Sanctitas Sua.