Bolgatanga: The Catholic Diocese of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga has held a Requiem Mass for the late Pope Francis who died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at age 88. The Holy Mass, presided over by The Most Reverend Alfred Agyenta, Bishop of the Diocese, was conducted to thank God for the time the late Pope spent serving the Church and to pray for the peaceful repose of the late Supreme Pontiff.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Mass took place at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish in Bolgatanga. It was attended by priests, religious brothers and sisters, and the Catholic faithful within the Diocese. The Mass also included prayers for divine guidance in selecting a new Pope to lead the Church in current times.
In his homily, The Most Reverend Agyenta reflected on the contributions of the late Pope, describing him as a gift to the Universal Church and the world. The late Pope’s works and liturgies were seen as direct responses to the challenges facing the world. He was known for steering the Church towards the mercy of God, with his leadership, liturgy, and teachings emphasizing compassion and mercy.
The Most Reverend Agyenta praised Pope Francis as “a man with a big heart,” highlighting the importance of his approach during times marked by hatred, conflicts, and exclusiveness. He recounted the late Pope’s vision of the Catholic Church as an open refuge for all vulnerable and wounded people and urged Christians to embody this compassion.
He emphasized the late Pope’s efforts towards inclusiveness and urged Christians to continue practicing his teachings for a transformed world. The Pope’s advocacy extended beyond teachings and works, as his lifestyle encouraged mercy towards the vulnerable. The Bishop expressed hope that God would guide the College of Cardinals in choosing a new Pope who would address contemporary needs.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was elected the 226th Pope of the Church in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
