Christians in Kitgum Vicariate eulogize Pope Francis

Kitgum: Christian faithful in the Kitgum Vicariate covering Kitgum, Pader, Lamwo and Agago  are mourning the passing of Pope Francis I, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.

His death has sent waves of sorrow through the Catholic community, both globally and locally.

According to Monsignor Rev. Fr. Komakech Christopher, the Parish Priest of Christ the King Church in Kitgum, Pope Francis I was a man devoted to love, peace, and faith.

He described the Pope as a fatherly figure who served humanity with unwavering devotion to Christ.

Although many believers had hoped to see him live longer, Monsignor Komakech emphasized that Pope Francis’s passing was part of God’s calling.

With the Pope’s death, the Catholic Church has now entered a period known as Sede Vacante, a time when the papal seat is vacant. During this time, a senior cardinal known as the Camerlengo temporarily takes charge of the day-to-day affairs of the Vatican until a new Pope is elected.

Monsignor Komakech also highlighted traditional practices that follow a Pope’s death stating that the Camerlengo officially certifies the Pope’s death, a process that historically involved tapping the pontiff’s forehead three times with a silver hammer and calling out his birth name. This official then oversees the destruction of the “Fisherman’s Ring,” the gold signet used by each Pope to seal documents.

The Catholic Church will hold general congregations to assess potential successors known as papabili and will then schedule a conclave to elect the new Pope. This conclave must begin between 15 and 20 days after the Pope’s death.

Currently, there are 135 cardinal electors eligible to vote in the upcoming conclave.

Of these, 108 were appointed by Pope Francis I. The electors come from across the globe, including 53 from Europe, 20 from North America, 18 from Africa, 23 from Asia, 4 from Oceania, and 17 from South America.

The Catholic community in Kitgum, along with the rest of the world, now awaits the election of a new pontiff, while holding Pope Francis I in prayer and remembrance.

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