‘He threw me out of my own office’: Uhuru recalls meeting with Pope Francis
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has recounted a humorous but touching encounter with Pope Francis, revealing that the late pontiff once threw him out of his own office during a visit to Kenya.
Speaking during a requiem mass for Pope Francis at the Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi, Mr Kenyatta described the moment as one of the most humbling experiences in his life.
“His Holiness turned to me and said, ‘I thought you said he wanted to talk to me?’” Uhuru recalled to the amusement of mourners. “So, for the first time as President, another head of state threw me out of my own office — which I found quite incredible.”
The mass was held to honour the life of Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, aged 88, after battling double pneumonia for over a month.
Here’s Mr Kenyatta’s full tribute:
He chose to serve, not to be served.
He chose to deliver, to save — not to be saved.
I think many of you will always recall his one simple request, everywhere he went:
“Just pray for me.”
He always said, “Pray for me.”
He was able to extend beyond his religion and see all of us as humanity. He didn’t pick and choose. Even the most vulnerable, the most outcast — he made sure they were given solace and comfort.
Truly, he was a man who walked a path of giving dignity to human life, regardless of the condition in which one found themselves.
I had the pleasure and honour of meeting him twice. The memories of those meetings remain very dear to me. I can stand here and testify to his extraordinary humility.
I remember one moment — without mentioning names — when he was in Nairobi. Those in the diplomatic service will understand: usually, when a head of state or government visits, there’s a private one-on-one session before the main meetings begin.
We were sitting in my office with His Holiness, discussing matters of importance. This was an office where I had met many world leaders — from Obama to others across the globe.
As we were wrapping up, someone had earnestly requested a moment with His Holiness. I wasn’t sure how to bring it up, but I finally did. And he simply said,
“Oh, no problem.”
So I invited the individual into my office before we moved out. I went back to my seat. The room was silent.
Then His Holiness turned to me and said,
“I thought you said he wanted to talk to me?”
And for the first time — as a president — another head of state threw me out of my own office! I found it quite incredible.
But that wasn’t the most important thing. What stood out to me was this:
Here was a man — a leader of over a billion people across the world — and yet he chose to fully engage with that one person. He followed up with them even after he left Kenya, kept in communication, stayed in touch.
What greater show of humility can you ask from a man than that?
That he can lead billions, yet still seek out the one lost sheep.
That was a lesson for all of us. It certainly was a lesson for me.
I shall always remember the greatness of that man.
And may the Almighty God rest our father’s soul in eternal peace.
May He grant us, in the days to come, another father who will continue the journey he began.
Thank you.
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