Former President Uhuru Kenyatta offered a heartfelt and humorous tribute to the late Pope Francis during a requiem Mass held at the Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi on April 25. Uhuru recounted a memorable encounter with the Pope during his historic visit to Kenya in 2015 an incident that both surprised and delighted many.
Speaking before the congregation, the retired President shared how, in a private meeting at State House Nairobi, Pope Francis’ humility and authenticity left a lasting impression. “We were sitting in my office, just the two of us, and this is an office where I’ve met many world leaders including President Obama,” he said. “After we finished our conversation, I told him someone wanted to speak with him briefly.”
Uhuru recalled inviting the guest into the office, where an unusual silence followed. “The person came in, sat down, and there was complete silence. Then the Pope turned to me and asked, ‘I thought you said he wanted to talk to me?’ And for the first time, I was thrown out of a meeting in my own office,” he said, sparking laughter from those gathered.
Despite the humor, Uhuru emphasized the deeper lesson behind the moment—Pope Francis’ unwavering humility and care for others. He revealed that the Pontiff continued to check in on the individual he had met in Nairobi, even after returning to the Vatican.
“The most important thing was that here was a man leading over a billion people across the world, yet he still took time to follow up with someone he had briefly met in Nairobi. That speaks volumes about his character,” Uhuru remarked.
In his tribute, Uhuru painted a portrait of a leader who was deeply compassionate, selfless, and humble. “I can stand here today as someone who can personally testify to the depth of his humility and concern for others,” he concluded.
The requiem Mass served not only as a time of mourning but also a celebration of a life that touched millions and left even heads of state humbled.
