President John Dramani Mahama (L) in his tribute prayed for a Cardinal Appiah Turkson (L) papacy
President John Dramani Mahama paid his last respects to the late leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, at the Apostolic Nunciature in Accra on April 25, 2025.
The president commiserated with the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Archbishop Julien Kaboré, and the leadership of the Catholic Church in the Accra Archdiocese, before proceeding to sign the Book of Condolence in honour of the late Pope.
Mahama wrote a touching tribute to the late pontiff, thanking God for the opportunity to meet him (Pope Francis) during his first tenure as president.
He went on to pray that God would help the Catholic Church get a good leader in the upcoming conclave.
The president, in his prayer, expressed the wish that Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson would become the next leader of the Catholic Church.
“Pope Francis was a good man, personable and a good soul. I thank God for the opportunity I had to meet him during my tenure as president.
“As all good souls, God calls them home to rest after they finish their work.
“I pray that the conclave be guided by God to choose a worthy successor, and I know one who will make a good Pope – our own Cardinal AT (Appiah Turkson).
“May Pope Francis find peaceful rest in heaven.”
About Pope Francis’ death and funeral:
The pontiff, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years, was pronounced dead on Monday, April 21, 2025.
Reports indicate that Pope Francis died from a stroke while recovering from pneumonia, which had kept him hospitalised for five weeks.
Given the late pontiff’s global stature, about 130 foreign delegations from various countries, along with approximately 200,000 pilgrims, gathered in Vatican City, Rome, to mourn his passing.
After the burial Mass, being held at St Peter’s Square, the late Pope was laid to rest at the Basilica of St Mary Major.
See President Mahama’s tribute plus a video of him at the Apostolic Nunciature below:
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