Kampala Archdiocese commemorates Pope Francis's 10th Anniversary

On March 13, 2013, Pope Francis was elected as the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. March 13, 2023, thus marked the 10th anniversary of his Pontificate.

Christians in Uganda generally have great admiration for Pope Francis, who blessed Uganda with a Pastoral visit on November 27-29, 2015. 

The Bannakizito children from St. Peter's PS, Nsambya pose for a photo with their teacher (right) and the Kampala Archdiocesan Director of Pontifical Mission Societies, Fr. Dr. Ambrose Bwangatto after the commemorative lecture on the Pontificate of Pope Francis. Photos by Mathias Mazinga

The leaders of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala have even greater admiration for Pope Francis, whose policies, they say, have greatly influenced the archdiocese’s pastoral programmes.

The portrait of Pope Francis that was placed on the wall of the Kampala Archdiocesan Boardroom during the Lecture on his Pontificate.

The enormous impact of Pope Francis, and his way of doing things, is certainly what prompted the Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, to organize a unique function to commemorate his 10th anniversary.

A Christian lights candles at the portrait of Pope Francis that was placed on the wall of the Kampala Archdiocesan Boardroom during the Lecture on his Pontificate.

Interestingly though, the function was not a big feast. It was also not a solemn Pontifical mass. It was rather a two-hour lecture on the character, teachings and encyclicals of the Pontiff.

The lecture that took place in the Archbishop’s Boardroom at Rubaga was delivered by the Rev. Fr. Dr Emmanuel Katongole, a scholarly priest of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala based in USA.

Fr. Dr. Emmanuel Katongole delivers the lecture on the Pontificate of Pope Francis.

Dr Katongole highlighted a number of things that characterized and distinguished Pope Francis. 

He basically pointed out his emphasis on God’s Mercy, the Joy of the Gospel, human solidarity, his practical attention to the poor and the marginalized, his vision of what the Church is called to be, his emphasis on non-violence and his quest for the protection of the environment.

Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere delivers his remarks during the lecture

Archbishop Paul Semogerere urged Christians to follow the teachings and the way of life of Pope Francis.

He says the Pope’s principle of Synodality is of even greater relevance in this era of extreme selfishness and individualism.

The function was also graced by the Chancellor of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala. Fr. Dr Pius Male, the Archdiocesan Director of Pontifical Mission Societies, Aloysius Bwangatto, and the Director of Social Communications at the Archdiocese, Fr Joseph Mukiibi.

During the function, the Bannakizito children from St. Peter’s Primary School, Nsambya, sang songs and recited poems in praise of the Pope.