Members of Parliament (MPs) are set to take a break from the session on Thursday to honour the passing of Pope Francis, who died on Monday, April 21, 2025.

In a statement on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, National Assembly speaker Moses Wetang’ula indicated that the Thursday session would be forgone as Catholic leaders would be gathering to sign a condolence book.

“For those who profess the Catholic faith, we will be going to the residence of the Nuncio to sign the condolence book on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 9:00 am. You can get in touch with my office to tell you the assembly point, then we can all go together,” Wetang’ula stated.

During the Tuesday session, several MPs mourned the late pontiff as an inspiration to not only the Catholic believers but the entire humanity.

“The Catholic church has been very great in coming early to establish some of the first schools in this country, including Alliance High School and others, which have done very well. On behalf of the people of Emuhaya, I want to stand with those Catholics as they mourn the loss of Pope Francis,” Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba observed.

On his part, Tigania West MP John Mutunga said the Pope was a unifying figure in the world.

“The Pope’s humility spread across, and when he visited Kenya, he not only sat with Catholics but also with other denominations,” Mutunga noted.

Passaris warns Gen Zs

 Nairobi County Woman Representative Esther Passaris also mourned the late Pope Francis as a beacon of inspiration to Catholics worldwide in his humility, grace and mercy.

“Pope Francis showed us that faith and conscience are not at odds but, together, are a path to authentic discipleship. He reminded us that the heart of the gospel is mercy, justice and dignity of every person,” Passaris noted.

“I found Pope Francis to be a true reflection of Christ’s compassion. May we honour his memory by knowing that love is stronger than judgement, and inclusion is deeper than fear.”

Passaris, however, warned those using the Pope’s official clothing and Raila Odinga’s image that their actions were a mockery to the over two billion Catholic faithful worldwide.

“I want to tell our Gen Zs out there, you should have respect for Raila Odinga, the two billion Catholics, and you should have respect for the Pope, who has not even been laid to rest. Using his death as a mockery is something you should be ashamed of,” Passaris warned.