Pope Francis, who died on Monday, visited Kenya once in 2015, a papal visit that left memorable moments in his interactions with the Catholic faithful and other Kenyans.
The first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, 88, had been battling a severe bout of double pneumonia and mild kidney failure for more than two months. He was discharged from hospital in late March and was at the Vatican at the time of his death.
The pontiff visited Kenya for three days in 2015. It was his first state and pastoral visit to Kenya and the African continent. Pope Francis was the second pontiff to visit Kenya after Pope John Paul II, who first toured the country in 1985 and again in 1995.
In 2015, Pope Francis was hosted by then President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is also a Catholic.
Pope Francis and President Uhuru Kenyatta inspect a guard of honour during Pope's visit in Kenya at State House, Nairobi on November 25, 2015.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Pope Francis gives a speech on November 25, 2025 at State House, Nairobi during his visit to Kenya. He is with then president Uhuru Kenyatta (right).
Photo credit: Gerald Anderson
During the pope's visit between November 25 and 27, 2015, the pontiff toured various places, including Kangemi slum, where he interacted with residents of the informal settlement. His visit to Kenya was also one of the longest of his tour of African countries. He later visited Uganda and the Central African Republic.
Kenya Forest Service officers help Pope Francis plant a olive tree at the State House, Nairobi lawn as then president Uhuru Kenyatta and then deputy president Wiliam Ruto look on. The Pope said the tree symbolises environmental conservation, peace and social justice.
Photo credit: File
The most memorable part of his trip to Kenya was when Pope Francis celebrated a rain-soaked Mass at the University of Nairobi, attended by thousands of Catholic faithful.
Pope Francis waving to a crowd that turned up at University of Nairobi for the open Mass on November 26, 2015.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Dressed in a simple robe embroidered to resemble Maasai clothing, Pope Francis appealed to young Kenyans to “shape society which is ever more just, inclusive and respectful of human dignity”.
"The youth should reject everything that leads to prejudice and discrimination," he said.
During the Mass, Pope Francis also urged Kenyans to work for peace and reconciliation at a time when militant violence is on the rise.
He also spoke about abortion and the need for a caring society. “We are called to resist practices which foster arrogance in men, hurt or demean women and threaten the life of the innocent unborn,” the Pope said.
Mr James Kamau, who was among thousands of Kenyans who braved the heavy rain to attend the papal mass, was saddened by the news of his death.
“The world has lost a pontiff who loved peace, spoke about equity and pushed for a more just, inclusive society. He also preached against discrimination and always urged faithful to embrace human dignity,” Mr Kamau told the Nation .
“During his visit to Nairobi in 2015, it had rained a whole night, but people slept in the rain in order to see the Pope. He was also very happy to see thousands of people who attended the mass," recalled Mr Kamau, a Catholic faithful from Mathare in Nairobi.
Pope Francis (centre) kisses the altar as he starts the Papal mass in Kenya's capital Nairobi, November 26, 2015.
Photo credit: Reuters
Before the mass, the Pope met with religious leaders of other faiths and Christian denominations, who he said should be "prophets of peace" in a violent and hate-filled world.
Referring to attacks by the militant group al-Shabaab in Kenya, the Pope said that God's name "must never be used to justify hatred and violence".
He also spoke of a "grave environmental crisis" facing the world and said leaders must promote responsible models of economic and environmental development.
Crowds cheer Pope Francis as he arrives at Kololo Airstrip in Kampala, Uganda on November 28, 2015.
Photo credit: File | AFP
"He visited Kangemi and interacted with the poor and the lowly. It gave hope to the downtrodden in the slums," said Father Michael Ndichu, the administrator of the Holy Family Basilica.
Pope Francis delivered a message of solidarity with the poor and underprivileged during a visit to the crowded Kangemi slum, a highlight of his three-nation African tour.
He received a rapturous welcome in Kangemi, home to more than 100,000 poor people.
On Monday, Mr Edward Mwaniki, who was part of the congregation that welcomed Pope Francis to Kangemi, said, "May Pope Francis rest in eternal peace".
“I was part of the people who welcomed him to Kangemi during his historic visit. It was one of its kind in a lifetime and an honour to the poor," recalls Mwaniki.
Pope Francis rides in his car as he arrives for a meeting with the Kenyan youth at the Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi, on November 27, 2015. With him is Cardinal John Njue.
Photo credit: Reuters
During his visit to Kenya, Pope Francis addressed issues such as poverty, inequality and the importance of interfaith dialogue.
Over the past decade, Pope Francis has made several significant visits to African countries to reinforce the Vatican's commitment to peace, interfaith dialogue and humanitarian efforts.
His visits have often focused on issues such as poverty, conflict resolution, religious tolerance and social justice.
What appeared to be a common respiratory problem turned into bilateral pneumonia, further complicating his situation.
Pope Francis waves to faithful as he arrives at meeting with the Kenyan youth at the Kasarani Stadium in Kenya's capital Nairobi, on November 27, 2015.
Photo credit: Osservatore Romano | Handout via Reuters
During his hospitalisation, he suffered several respiratory complications and required high flow oxygen therapy.
At some point during his hospital stay, blood tests showed mild signs of kidney failure.
Kenya, November 25-27, 2015
While in Kenya, he spoke about poverty, inequality and the importance of interfaith dialogue.
Uganda, November 27-29, 2015
Pope Francis was in Uganda to honour the legacy of the Ugandan Martyrs and encourage unity and service among the faithful.
His visit underlined the importance of faith, resilience and service, drawing thousands of worshippers to public Masses.
Central African Republic, November 29-30, 2015
The Pope's presence highlighted the Vatican's solidarity with communities affected by violence and political instability.
Pope Francis travelled to Egypt to promote interfaith dialogue and strengthen ties between the Catholic Church and the Muslim community.
Pope Francis speaks to journalists in the flight back to Rome after a six-day visit in Africa on November 30, 2015. Pope Francis traveled to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic.
Photo credit: Handout | AFP | Osservatore Roman
Mozambique, September 2019
During his visit, he attended an interreligious gathering of thousands of young people and visited various social apostolic ministries in the country.
Madagascar, September 2019
Pope Francis spoke about peace, environmental concerns and social justice.
He travelled to Madagascar after spending a few days in Mozambique, where he led a mass attended by over one million people.
Mauritius, September 2019
The Pope celebrated Mass at the Mary Queen of Peace Monument, the same hillside location where John Paul II celebrated the Eucharist during the last papal visit to Mauritius in 1989.
Pope Francis encouraged the country’s leaders to invest in inclusive economic policies that create opportunities for young people.
Democratic Republic of Congo, January 2023
In the DRC, Pope Francis denounced the exploitation of Africa’s resources.
During his visit, the Pope celebrated a special Papal Mass in Kinshasa, the capital city, which was attended by more than 1 million African faithful.
South Sudan, February 2023
He spent three days in the country. The highlight of the trip was the Sunday Mass in Juba attended by more than 100,000 people.
