Speaker Wetang’ula, ODM Leader Raila Odinga, among key figures offering condolences at the Apostolic Nunciature in Nairobi.
Following the demise of Holy Father Pope Francis, leaders continued to stream in to sign the condolence book at the Apostolic Nunciature in Nairobi.
Thursday morning, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and a group of Members of the National Assembly offered their condolences and were received by the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Hubertus Matheus Maria van Megen at the residence.
Speaker Wetang’ula, a known devout Catholic, mourned a man he said dedicated his life to humanity and peaceful coexistence.
“In my communication to the House, when we observed a minute of silence, I quoted one of his profound statements: ‘ the world is like a public hospital that heals wounds but wounds hearts.
“He stood for building bridges between people and communities and not barricading walls, we don’t have a perfect world, but we need one where everyone is brother and sister regardless of background, religion or status in society”, stated Wetang’ula.
He went on to state that he will be representing President William Ruto at the burial slated for Saturday at the Vatican Square.
“As Kenyans and as the Catholic Family, we have always cherished and loved our Pope. 2015, he was in Kenya and he left an indelible mark in the lives of Kenyans. The first Pope outside Europe and coming from Africa felt like he was closer to us,” he stressed.
ODM leader Raila Odinga, on his part recalled how the Pope touched many lives and how his death impacted generations.
“He was a very gentle person, he struggled to pray for the World. Each time there is trouble or problems anywhere in the world, he has been the voice of reason, he has spoken for the downtrodden and has spoken for the weakest, he spoke against injustice.”
Terming him a true representative of Christianity, Odinga said his death dealt a huge blow to humanity.
“I hope the Catholic Church gets another Pope like him, I am a Not a Catholic but i am a Christian and a friend of Catholics, that is why we have all been pained by the loss of Pope Francis, as Speaker said he is the first Pope from the Global South and he exemplified the spirit of hope, reconcilaition and of compassion” he added.
At the Nunciature was the Popes portrait and under it the Coat of Arms written in Italian (Miserando ate eligendo) meaning Have mercy on him he chose him, according to the the Apostolic Nuncio Achbishop Hubertus the Pope transalated the message as the lord not choosing one to o his wok because of qualifications but because of the Mercy the Lord has on the person.
“That did not only apply to himself, he did that to the people around him, many of the people he sorrounded himslef with were people who were wounded, people who were gone from Christ and he was merciful with them and appointed them and chose to work with them and lift them out of the crisis,” stated the Nuncio.
He also stated the Pope’s quest for Peace in the Gaza Strip and that up to his death, he constantly inquired about the situation there, concerned over the welfare of children, mothers and the thousands who had lost their lives and the level of destruction across the world due to war and strife.
