On Monday, Kenyan President William Ruto posted on X that Francis "exemplified servant leadership through his humility, his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice, and his deep compassion for the poor and the vulnerable."
In neighboring Ethiopia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also turned to social media to mourn the pope, saying "may his legacy of compassion, humility, and service to humanity continue to inspire generations to come."
In South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement that Pope Francis was "a spiritual leader who sought to unite humanity and wished to see a world governed by fundamental human values.
Pope Francis, an Argentine, was notable as the first pontiff from the Global South. Many Africans will be watching as the Vatican decides on his successor, hoping for the first African pope.
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