President William Ruto has arrived in Rome, Italy, to attend the funeral ceremony of Pope Francis, who passed away recently.
Ruto confirmed his arrival through a message on his X (formerly Twitter) page, where he jetted in directly from China, where he had been for a three-day state visit.
“Arrived in Rome, Italy, to join other world leaders and Catholic faithful in the funeral of Pope Francis,” stated Ruto
The President is among 11 African Heads of State who have traveled to Italy to pay their last respects to the late Pope. Other African leaders present include Angola’s President Joao Lourenco and Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo.
The high-profile event has drawn leaders and dignitaries from around the world, reflecting Pope Francis’ significant global impact during his leadership of the Catholic Church.
Upon landing in Rome, President Ruto was received by the Speaker of Kenya’s National Assembly, Moses Wetangula and other Kenyan delegates who had arrived ahead of him. The Kenyan delegation is expected to participate fully in the funeral rites and join the Catholic faithful in mourning the late Pontiff.
Pope Francis will be laid to rest today at the Vatican Grottoes inside St. Mary Major Basilica. His final resting place will be away from many of his predecessors, a symbol of his lasting legacy within the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis, who served as the head of the Catholic Church since 2013, is remembered worldwide for his advocacy for the poor, commitment to social justice, efforts to modernize the Church, and calls for global peace and environmental protection.
His death has left a deep void not only among Catholics but also among millions across different faiths who admired his humility and leadership.
Kenya, a country with a strong Catholic community, is joining the rest of the world in mourning a leader who touched many lives and worked tirelessly for unity and compassion.
