His death comes after years of fragile health. The pontiff had long battled respiratory complications stemming from a serious illness in his youth, which led to the removal of part of his lung at the age of 21.

In recent months, his condition had deteriorated significantly, with multiple hospitalisations due to bronchitis and other complications.

Despite his failing health, Pope Francis remained deeply engaged in his pastoral mission, often addressing issues of injustice and human suffering around the world, including the legacy of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

As the first Jesuit pope and the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years, Pope Francis — born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina — brought with him a distinctly global perspective.

In 2017, Pope Francis made a historic and unprecedented gesture when he publicly acknowledged and apologised for the role of the Catholic Church in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Speaking during a meeting with President Paul Kagame at the Vatican on March 20, 2017, the Pope expressed deep sorrow:

“I feel the pain, the sorrow, and the shame of the fact that some of the Church’s sons, ministers, priests, have been involved in the genocide, in that unspeakable crime. I ask forgiveness for the scandal that this has caused to the Church and to all humanity.”

It was a moment that shifted the tone of relations between the Vatican and Rwanda. For years, survivors and the Rwandan government had called for an acknowledgement of the Church’s complicity.

Some members of the clergy were directly involved in atrocities, while others failed to protect victims or speak out. Pope Francis’s direct and heartfelt apology broke with the Church’s prior reluctance to confront its failings.

President Kagame welcomed the gesture, calling it “an important step in the journey of reconciliation.” Many Rwandans viewed the apology as a powerful act of humility and truth-telling—qualities Pope Francis consistently championed.

A Cardinal for Rwanda

Another major milestone in Rwanda’s relationship with the Catholic Church under Pope Francis came in 2021, when he appointed Archbishop Antoine Kambanda as the country’s first cardinal. A genocide survivor himself, Cardinal Kambanda’s elevation was both a personal recognition and a national symbol of Rwanda’s journey from tragedy to hope.

“This is not just a personal honour,” Cardinal Kambanda said after his appointment. “It is an acknowledgement of the progress Rwanda has made in healing and in building a future based on justice, peace, and unity.”

Another major milestone in Rwanda’s relationship with the Catholic Church under Pope Francis came in 2021, when he appointed Archbishop Antoine Kambanda as the country’s first cardinal.

By naming Kambanda a cardinal, Pope Francis affirmed Rwanda’s place in the global Catholic community and highlighted the Church’s role in the country’s healing process. The decision was also widely seen as reinforcing the Vatican’s commitment to local leadership and its desire to support African voices in shaping the future of the Church.

A Papacy of reconciliation and courage

Throughout his twelve-year papacy, Pope Francis emphasised a Church that is humble, compassionate, and willing to confront uncomfortable truths. His philosophy of leadership was deeply influenced by his own experiences in Argentina during the Dirty War, where he quietly helped victims of state violence. That background helped shape his emphasis on social justice and his refusal to let the Church remain silent in the face of moral crises.

His approach to Rwanda reflected this ethos. He did not shy away from the uncomfortable legacy left by the Church during the Genocide against the Tutsi. Instead, he took ownership, offering not just words but gestures that signalled a readiness to accompany Rwandans on their path to healing.

As he once said in his meeting with Kagame, “Reconciliation is a gift that God gives, but it requires an active commitment from everyone. Only through dialogue, mutual respect, and a willingness to heal the wounds of the past can we build a future of peace.”

Pope Francis’s legacy extends far beyond Rwanda. He is remembered globally for his progressive views, humility, and concern for the marginalised. From advocating for climate justice to addressing income inequality, from engaging in interfaith dialogue to supporting migrants and refugees, he continually reoriented the Catholic Church toward service.

But in Rwanda, his legacy is particularly profound. It is the legacy of a man who looked into the face of a nation’s pain and responded not with defensiveness, but with repentance and solidarity. In doing so, he helped to begin mending a broken relationship and set an example for moral leadership.

As Rwanda continues its journey of remembrance and reconstruction, Pope Francis will be remembered as the pope who listened, who apologised, and who walked alongside a grieving nation with grace and courage.

In 2017, during a meeting with President Paul Kagame at the Vatican, Pope Francis made a historic and unprecedented gesture when he publicly acknowledged and apologized for the role of the Catholic Church in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.