Catholic Church in Uganda eager to pay heed to Pope
Father Collins Quaidoo, 40, a parish priest, watches the television announcement of Leo XIV as the new Pope, in Cape Coast, Ghana May 8, 2025. PHOTO | REUTERS
What you need to know:
- The Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Luigi Bianco, says divine wisdom guided the conclave in electing Pope Leo.
His Grace Paul Ssemogerere, the Kampala Archbishop, has said Pope Leo XIV’s maiden statement—made a few minutes after the shortest conclave in modern Catholic history—should be embraced by believers to restore peace in the world. After being elected by 133 cardinals across the globe on May 8, the Pope—formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, emerged out and said, “peace be with you all”, as he waved to a crowd of believers who were eagerly waiting for the sacred announcement of Pope Francis's successor.
"The Holy Father greeted us using these words, ‘peace be with you all’, and these are some words that Jesus Christ used after the persecution. Similar words were used by Pope Francis. We pray for peace in our country, and the world at large,” His Grace Ssemogerere told the faithful during a thanksgiving Mass held at Rubaga on May 9.
"We know that peace is ravaged by wars and many conflicts. Let us think and take the Pope's message very seriously so that peace prevails in the entire world. Jesus wishes us peace, and we must go out for this peace,” the Kampala Archbishop added.
His plea comes at a time when several countries, including Sudan, Israel, Ukraine, Russia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continue to be shattered by war. Archbishop Ssemogerere said Uganda and the world at large is excited about the election of the new Pope, the shepherd whose duty is to guide the church, restore hope, and unite all followers of Christ as desired by Jesus.
"So we are the lambs. Some of the lambs are misjudged, others no longer believers. There are those who don't go to church anymore, some are wounded, others are lost. We thank God that he has given us a new shepherd, our greatest role is to pray for him so that God guides him to lead the house to the Kingdom," he said.
The Kampala Archbishop appreciated all those who condoled with the Catholic Church following the demise of Pope Francis who breathed his last on April 8, 2025 after his pontificate spanned a dozen years.
In a related development, the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Luigi Bianco, has extended heartfelt gratitude for what he termed as “divine wisdom” that guided the conclave in electing Pope Leo.
“We thank the Holy Spirit for the inspiration that led to the election of Pope Leo, a man of deep faith and clarity of vision,” he said while addressing journalists at the Vatican’s headquarters in Kampala on May 9.
Archbishop Kuigi also applauded the new Pope’s inaugural message to the faithful, in which he called upon all people to become agents of peace.
“Right from his words during his very first Mass, Pope Leo reminded us that the world is in need of healing, reconciliation, and unity. His call to work for peace is one we must all take to heart,” the Nuncio emphasised. The Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda also urged Ugandans to pray that the newly elected pontiff pays a visit to Uganda.
“We pray that the Holy Father may be inspired to come to the land of the Uganda Martyrs, just as Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Francis did. It would be a blessing to once again welcome the Vicar of Christ to our soil,” Archbishop Bianco said.
Mr Mathias Mpuuga, Nyendo-Mukungwe lawmaker, who spoke at the sidelines of the thanksgiving Mass organised for Pope Leo XIV at Rubaga Cathedral, said one of the challenges that awaits the Pope is the ideological issues that may be a threat to the core values of the Catholic Church.
“I am eager to see how the new pontiff is going to address the challenges that the Church is set to face. I contend that the Church will have to face a very critical issue, which is liberalism, and because of this, some of the key values of the Church are facing erosion,” he said.
The Nyendo-Mukungwe lawmaker also pointed to the growing influence of relativism among young people being driven by rapid technological advancement and unchecked digital exposure, stressing the need to harmonise technological interest with Christian doctrine.
“Those are very critical. The rest are man-made problems that the pontiff addressed in his first communication. I look forward to seeing how he will be able to address them. It’s not easy, but I believe he has the enormous support of the religious and the lay people.”
Pope Leo XIV, 69, was elected on May 8, 2025, following the conclave held at the Vatican after the death of Pope Francis. He became the 267th Pope in the history of the Catholic Church and the first American pontiff.
