By Taonga Sabola & Patience Lunda:
Catholics in Malawi Monday joined their counterparts across the world in mourning the death of their global leader Pope Francis, who died at 7:35 Monday morning.
He died at the Vatican in Rome at the age of 88.
The Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB) Monday directed that all Catholic priests must celebrate holy masses for the soul of the late Pope Francis.
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In a statement signed by the head of the Catholic Church in Malawi Bishop Martin Mtumbuka, MCCB says similar masses will be celebrated in all cathedrals in Malawi on the day of the Pope’s burial and will be presided over by members of the MCCB or their delegates.
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MCCB has since commended the soul of the late Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of God.
As we went to press Monday, it was not clear what led to the Pope’s death although he was recently hospitalised for life-threatening respiratory ailments before he was released on March 23.
Director of the Vatican press office, Matteo Bruni, Monday said he was hopeful that the Vatican would be able to release the cause of death on Monday [yesterday] evening, following the official certification of death.
According to CNN, Pope Francis’ death prompts a period of mourning, after which all cardinals under the age of 80 will convene to pick the next leader of the Catholic Church.
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A new pope will need to be elected through a process called the conclave — the secret meeting of cardinals—to hold a papal election.
The conclave typically happens 15 and 20 days after the papal office becomes vacant. Technically, any Roman Catholic male can be elected leader but the last pope not chosen from the College of Cardinals was Urban VI in 1379.
Monday, tributes poured in from leaders across the world, who shared condolence messages for the departed pontiff.
United States President Donald Trump was among the world leaders who issued condolence messages.
“Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!” Trump wrote in a brief message on Truth Social.
President Lazarus Chakwera, who met Pope Francis at the Vatican in August last year, said he was saddened by the passing of the pontiff.
Chakwera has said he will remember Pope Francis for his courage in advocating for reforms in governance worldwide.
According to the Malawi Leader, Pope Francis led by example through the radical reforms he advanced, which include the Encyclical Laudato si, in the Catholic Church.
Democratic Progressive Party leader Peter Mutharika Monday extended heartfelt sympathies to the Catholic bishops, clergy and entire Catholic community in Malawi and worldwide on the passing of Pope Francis.
According to Mutharika, Pope Francis was an exceptional leader, exemplary in his humility, promotion of peace and expression of compassion towards all.
“His unwavering dedication to serving humanity, particularly the less fortunate, inspired individuals of all backgrounds and beliefs. He was a staunch advocate of justice, mercy and harmony, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of millions.
“Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis reminded us of the transformative power of love, forgiveness and inclusivity. His teachings will continue to serve as a guiding light and inspiration for generations to come,” Mutharika said in a statement.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936, Pope Francis was the first pope from South America. His papacy was marked by his championing of the rights of those escaping war and hunger as well as those in poverty, earning him the moniker the “People’s Pope”.
In 2016, he washed the feet of refugees from different religions at an asylum centre outside of Rome in a “gesture of humility and service”.
He also made his views known on a wide range of issues, from climate change to wealth inequality and the role of women in the Catholic Church.
His acceptance of the LGBTQ community was unprecedented— beginning with an unexpected remark to reporters on a flight back from Brazil about gay clergy.
