The world is mourning the death of the late Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, in his Vatican residence due to complications of a stroke. His funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, in St. Peter's Square and will be attended by leaders from around the world.
As the world celebrates his legacy, Nairobi Leo reminisces his historic visit to Kenya in November 2015. During his three-day visit, Pope Francis's actions spoke louder.
Infamously known for his down-to-earth disposition and firm commitment to social justice, his Kenyan visit was marked by firm but humble gestures that transcended protocol and politics.
In this article, we outline three humble moments from his visit that moved Kenyans; moments that captured the spirit of a leader who led with heart:
Using modest cars
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During his 2015 visit to Kenya, the late Pope Francis sent a subtle but powerful message through his means of transport. Rather than traveling in luxurious vehicles, he rode a simple grey Honda Ballade, windows down and he warmly engaged Kenyans who gathered to watch him along the way.
This was a stark contrast to the luxurious cars normally used by the country's political figures. For public appearances, he used a modified Isuzu D-Max pickup truck, one that was designed to offer visibility and protection.
These modest choices weren't just practical; they reflected the Pope’s consistent message of humility and servant leadership.
Visit to Kangemi slums
One of the outstanding moments of the late Pope Francis's 2015 tour of Kenya was when he visited the Kangemi slum in Nairobi. Delivering a moving speech at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, he denounced social injustices like land grabbing and ignoring the poor by the elites.
The Pope further requested improved allocation of resources, particularly pointing to the lack of minimum services like clean water and shelter in slums.
His visit demonstrated profound humility as he opted to connect directly with the marginalised, listening to their grievances and speaking up about their cause.
By condemning mechanisms that guarantee inequality and proclaiming the poor worthy of respect, Pope Francis left a lasting impression, showing that even in the face of such adversity, their lives matter and their voices deserve to be heard.
Hosting leaders from different faiths
The late Pope Francis's dedication to interfaith dialogue in Kenya exemplified remarkable humility that crossed religious boundaries.
On November 26, 2015, he met with religious leaders from Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Sikhism in Nairobi, highlighting that interfaith dialogue is essential for fostering peace and unity in a world that is increasingly divided.
His attempts at reaching out to other religious communities reflected his commitment to unity rather than division. In a country with diverse religions, which at times causes conflict, Pope Francis's actions emphasised the ability of dialogue and respect for others to create a more harmonious society.
In addition to the three instances above, Pope Francis's meeting with the Kenyan youth at Kasarani Stadium was another demonstration of his humility and dedication to the future.
He urged them to avoid corruption and tribalism, stressing the importance of unity and integrity for creating positive change. His inspiring words left a lasting impact, reinforcing his belief in the power of young people to shape a better society.
As Pope Francis is laid to rest, Kenyans will remember his visit and the actions that shaped it. The meeting with the religious leaders, youth, and Kangemi slums visits are still memorable moments of his 2015 visit, testifying to the fact that humility, unity, and social justice are the values for which he lived. These acts continue to be a lasting part of his legacy in Kenya.
