Soroti Diocese Honors Late Pope Francis, Calls for Environmental Stewardship and Peace

The Soroti Catholic Diocese today held a solemn Requiem Mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish in Madera to honor the life and legacy of His Holiness, the late Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88.

In his homily, the Vicar General of Soroti Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Robert Ecogu, described Pope Francis as a global champion for environmental conservation and peace.

He urged Ugandans, especially the youth, to emulate the Pope’s commitment to nature and humanity.

“Pope Francis was a voice for the Earth,” Fr. Ecogu said. “He reminded us that caring for creation is a moral and spiritual duty. Let us honor his legacy by taking action to protect our environment.”

Fr. Ecogu encouraged each believer to plant at least two to three trees every month, noting that even the smallest efforts can lead to meaningful change.

“It may seem like a small act, but conserving the environment matters greatly in our lives,” he emphasized.

Addressing the youth, he called on them to join hands in protecting the environment and making a lasting impact on the planet.

“You have the energy, the ideas, and the future. Use them to build a better, greener Uganda.”

Beyond environmental protection, Fr. Ecogu called on Christians and all Ugandans to embrace peacebuilding, a value Pope Francis strongly advocated during his pontificate.

“Peace is the foundation for every thriving society,” he said. “We must become champions of harmony in our communities and the nation at large.”

The Mass drew hundreds of worshippers, united in prayer and reflection on the life of a pontiff who shaped global discourse on social justice, climate action, and compassion for the marginalized.

A defining legacy of the Pope was his groundbreaking 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, which urged world leaders and citizens alike to confront the climate crisis and uphold the dignity of creation.

As Uganda joins the world in mourning, preparations are in full swing for Pope Francis’s funeral, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City.

The Mass will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, with dignitaries from across the globe expected to attend, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and French President Emmanuel Macron.

In keeping with his desire for simplicity, the late pontiff will be buried in a plain wooden coffin at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, marked only with the inscription “Franciscus.”