The Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament, Anita Annet Among, will lead a special Ugandan delegation to attend the burial of Pope Francis in Vatican City. This important event will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at St. Peter’s Basilica, where many world leaders and Catholic faithful are expected to gather to honor the life and legacy of the Pope.
This journey is not just official it’s personal for Speaker Among. She had a unique relationship with Pope Francis that grew stronger over the years. One of the most touching moments between the two happened in August 2024.
During a visit to the Vatican, Speaker Among introduced her baby twins to the Pope. This was especially meaningful because the Pope had earlier blessed her while she was still pregnant. When he finally met the children, he warmly welcomed them, gave them his blessings, and even shared gifts with them, including books he had written himself.
Her visit to the Vatican wasn’t only about family. During that same trip, Speaker Among also met with top Vatican officials, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who is the Vatican’s Secretary of State. They talked about strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Uganda and the Holy See.
One of the things Pope Francis praised Uganda for was its kindness and openness in welcoming refugees. He appreciated how Uganda has become a safe place for people fleeing war and hardship from neighboring countries.
Now, as Uganda joins the rest of the world in mourning, Speaker Among’s presence at the Pope’s burial carries great meaning. It is a sign of respect from the Ugandan government and its people, showing that they value the Pope’s leadership and his message of peace, kindness, and service to others.
Pope Francis, who served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church since 2013, was loved and respected by many people around the world—not only by Catholics, but also by people from different faiths. He was known for his humility, his focus on helping the poor, and his strong voice on global issues like climate change, social justice, and peace.
The burial service will begin at 10:00 AM at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, followed by the Pope’s final resting in the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Speaker Among will be there to represent Uganda, standing with leaders from other countries to say goodbye to a man who touched millions of lives.
This moment will go down in history, not only as the passing of a religious leader, but also as a time when nations from all over the world came together in unity, hope, and remembrance.
