Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on April 21, 2025, leaving behind a significant legacy in the relationship between the Church and Rwanda. In 2017, during an official visit to the Vatican, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame were received by Pope Francis. The meeting marked a turning point in healing the strained ties between Rwanda and the Catholic Church.
At that time, Pope Francis asked God for forgiveness for the sins and failures of the Church and its members, including clergy and religious figures, who were driven by hatred and violence and failed in their evangelical mission during the genocide.
He expressed “deep personal sorrow, as well as that of the Holy See and the universal Church” for the genocide against the Tutsi, and showed solidarity with the victims and all those still affected by the aftermath. He humbly acknowledged the misconduct that stained the image of the Church.
The Pope’s apology was built on a shared understanding with President Kagame. As the Pope emphasized, and Kagame also recognized, the Catholic Church firmly condemns genocide in all its forms. Pope John Paul II had also stated on May 11, 1994, that “what is happening in Rwanda is genocide, and some Christians are involved.” He affirmed that history would hold them accountable.
President Kagame appreciated the Pope’s courage in admitting the Church’s role and asking for forgiveness, calling it an act of bravery.
During their meeting, the two leaders exchanged symbolic gifts. President Kagame gave the Pope a staff decorated with pearls, while Pope Francis gifted him a symbolic drawing. The Pope explained that the artwork depicted a journey from darkness and desert toward a place of renewal and abundance, symbolizing Rwanda’s path toward recovery and hope.
Pope Francis passed away having left Rwanda with a historical milestone—the country’s first-ever cardinal, Antoine Cardinal Kambanda, who now has the right to vote in papal conclaves. His elevation brought immense pride and joy to the Rwandan Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church in Rwanda plays a major role beyond spiritual matters. It runs over 2,700 schools and numerous health centers across the country. The Church is also active in various sectors such as finance, hospitality, and investments that contribute to national development.
Pope Francis passed away at a time when there were hopes that he would visit Rwanda—something that would have made him the second Pope in history to do so. His death also came shortly after the launch of the beatification process for Christians who gave their lives for others during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Throughout his papacy, he visited 68 countries on 47 trips. One of the most anticipated visits that never materialized was to Argentina, his country of birth.
He died in his residence at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. The last world leader he met was U.S. Vice President JD Vince.
