The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has announced to all priests, religious, and lay faithful that a series of solemn activities will be held to honour the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away earlier on Monday, April 21, 2025.
The Vatican announced the death of Pope Francis in the morning of Easter Monday, April 21, 2025.
Pope Francis had been unwell and experienced a string of health worries in recent years and spent 38 days in hospital in February and March 2025.
In an statement released on the website of the GCBG and signed by President of the GCBC and Catholic Bishop of Sunyani, Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the GCBC asked all bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful across the local church in Ghana to offer prayers for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis.
These activities lined up include: A National Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date to be determined. All bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful who are able to attend will be warmly invited to participate in this solemn liturgy.
“All archdioceses, dioceses, and parishes are encouraged to organize local Requiem Masses and special Holy Hours in honour of Pope Francis. These should be moments of prayerful reflection on his teachings and witness.
“Schools, seminaries, and other Catholic institutions may wish to host prayer services, talks, or
The GCBC also called on all members of the Church to pray for the global Church as it prepares to elect the next Pope.
“May the Lord, whom he served so faithfully and joyfully, welcome him into the eternal joy of His heavenly kingdom,” the statement concluded.
Pope Francis served as the 266th Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, leaving behind a legacy marked by simplicity, dialogue, and a deep concern for the marginalized.
Read full statement below:
STATEMENT FROM THE GHANA CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE (GCBC) ON THE DEATH OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
To: The Clergy, Consecrated Men and Women, and All Christ’s Faithful in Ghana
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
With deep sorrow and yet with great faith in the victory of Christ over death, I write to inform you of the passing into eternal life of His Holiness, Pope Francis, the Supreme Pontiff and Servant of the Servants of God.
The Holy Father died peacefully in the Lord earlier today, 21st April 2025. As the Successor of St. Peter, Pope Francis served the Church with profound humility, unwavering compassion, and a deep sense of justice, especially for the marginalized and vulnerable among us. He was a man of peace and dialogue, who lived and preached the message of mercy and reconciliation with admirable consistency.
In this moment of great loss for the Universal Church, I ask that all bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful across the dioceses in Ghana offer masses, prayers, and moments of silence for his soul. May our mourning be tempered by our Christian hope that Pope Francis now enjoys the beatific vision of the heavenly kingdom.
To honour the memory and legacy of our beloved Holy Father:
1. A National Memorial Mass will be scheduled at a later date to be determined with Archbishop Henryk Jagodziński, Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, and will be shared accordingly.
2. All Dioceses and Parishes across Ghana are to organize local Requiem Masses and prayers for the peaceful repose of his soul within the Octave following this sad announcement.
3. All Catholic institutions, schools, and organizations are kindly requested to fly the Vatican flag at half-mast until the burial of Pope Francis.
Let us remain united in faith and prayer as we thank God for the gift of this servant of the Lord.
Let us find consolation in the words of St. Paul: “If we die with Christ, we shall also rise with Him.” (Romans 6:8)
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
In Christ, our Risen Lord,
MOST REV. MATTHEW KWASI GYAMFI
CATHOLIC BISHOP OF SUNYANI & PRESIDENT,
GHANA CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE.
MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2025
