Christians and Catholics in Particular have been urged to continue praying for Pope Francis to get well.
Pope Francis, has been battling double pneumonia for the last two weeks although he is reported to be getting better now.
The call has been made by His Excellency Luigi Bianco, the Papal Nuncio to Uganda, where thousands of Catholics from across Fort Portal Diocese and beyond converged at Our Lady of the Snows Virika Cathedral on Sunday March 2nd 2025 for the reopening and rededication ceremony of the Cathedral.
Among the attendees were Bishops from across the Mbarara Ecclesiastical Province; Rt. Rev. Bishop Robert Muhiirwa of Fort Portal Diocese, Rt. Rev. Bishop Callist Rubaramira of Kabale Diocese, Rt. Rev. Bishop Aquirinus Kibira of Kasese Diocese, Politicians, Traditional and Cultural leaders.
Archbishop Luigi Bianco, says the Pope need prayers his health condition has been challenged in the past days but latest information from the hospital in Italy indicates he will be discharged soon and continue with his pastoral duty of the 1.4 billion Catholics and the world at large.
The Papal Nuncio emphasized that the church as a building is a powerful sign of God’s presence among His people. He explained that within this visible structure, God dwells spiritually, making it a sacred space for worship, prayer, and communion with Him. He expressed deep gratitude to the faithful and clergy of Fort Portal Diocese for their dedication and tireless efforts in ensuring the successful restoration and reopening of Virika Cathedral.
The Nuncio used the same occasion to thank Gods people who have not betrayed the Catholic Church and challenged them to encourage those who have backslide to get on track and seek for God’s intervention for their daily problems.
The Our Lady of the Snows Virika Cathedral was first dedicated in 1968 by Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa, Africa’s first cardinal.
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