NAIROBI, Kenya — In a heartfelt and unexpectedly funny tribute, retired President Uhuru Kenyatta shared a personal encounter with the late Pope Francis that had the congregation at Holy Family Basilica laughing and reflecting in equal measure.
A Pope, a President, and an Unforgettable Office Moment
During a requiem Mass for Pope Francis on April 25, Uhuru recounted a vivid memory from 2015, when Pope Francis visited Kenya. After a private diplomatic meeting at State House Nairobi — a formality between heads of state — Uhuru was caught off guard by the Pope’s signature simplicity.
“We were sitting in my office, just the two of us,” Uhuru recalled. “This is an office where I’ve hosted many world leaders—including President Obama. After our conversation, I told him someone else wanted a brief audience with him.”
What followed was pure Pope Francis. As the guest entered and sat in silence, the Pope turned to Uhuru and quipped, “I thought you said he wanted to talk to me?”
“And for the first time,” Uhuru said with a laugh, “I was thrown out of a meeting in my own office.”
A Pontiff Who Never Forgot the “Little People”
Beyond the humor, Uhuru emphasized Pope Francis’ remarkable personal touch. Even after leaving Kenya, the Pope continued checking on the unnamed individual he met that day — a gesture that left a lasting impression on Kenya’s fourth president.
“Here was a man leading over a billion people worldwide,” Uhuru said, “yet he still took time to follow up with someone he met briefly in Nairobi. That speaks volumes about his character.”
It’s the kind of humility that defined Pope Francis’ papacy (learn more about his legacy), and why millions around the world are mourning his passing.
A Lasting Legacy of Humility and Compassion
Uhuru closed his tribute with heartfelt admiration, describing Pope Francis as a leader who embodied selflessness, compassion, and deep humility.
“I can stand here today as someone who can personally testify to the depth of his humility and concern for others,” he said, capturing the mood of a nation and a Church saying goodbye to a beloved shepherd.
Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, following a stroke and heart failure (official Vatican statement here), will be remembered not just for his global leadership—but for moments like these that revealed the soul behind the title.
