President Ruto at Pope Francis Burial marked an emotional moment as Kenya’s head of state joined world leaders for the late pontiff’s final rites at St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City.
After concluding a state visit to China, President William Ruto arrived in Rome, Italy, where he was received by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
Images shared on his social media showed a solemn and reflective mood as leaders gathered to pay their respects.
The burial mass was attended by key global figures, including United States President Donald Trump.
Several African leaders confirmed by the Vatican to attend included Angola’s President Joao Lourenco, Cape Verde’s President Jose Maria Neves, DR Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi, Gabon’s President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Central African Republic’s President Faustin-Archange Touadera, and Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo.
In keeping with his wishes for simplicity, Pope Francis’s body was placed in a plain wooden coffin, dressed in red papal vestments, a white mitre, and holding rosary beads.
His final resting place will be the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the oldest churches in Rome.
President Ruto at Pope Francis Burial underscores Kenya’s presence on the world stage during a deeply emotional farewell to one of the Catholic Church’s most beloved leaders.
