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Reflecting on his time with the late Pontiff, Father John Loboka Morris—Pope Francis' translator during the Pontiff’s apostolic journey to South Sudan in 2023—describes him as a deeply humble and devout man of God.
Time with Pope Francis
Father Loboka, a member of the Catholic Religious Missionary of the Apostles of Jesus, had the rare honor of translating from Italian for Pope Francis during his historic visit to South Sudan from February 3–5, 2023.
The pilgrimage, undertaken jointly with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, was a mission for peace.
“It was the honor of a lifetime to work closely with the Pope,” Father Loboka said. “I had lived in Rome for many years but had only seen the Popes from a distance. Being close to Pope Francis, sharing meals with him—breakfast, lunch, and supper—and accompanying him throughout his stay in Juba, was incredibly special to me.”
He added that being the Pope’s translator during that visit is something he will always treasure.
Pope Francis’ impact
Father Loboka described Pope Francis as “truly a man of God.”
“We’ve always heard about his humility and his approachability,” he shared. “But seeing him in person confirmed it. He is a man of prayer who trusted completely in God's providence. Even in South Sudan, he entrusted all his actions to divine guidance.”
Health battles
Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City. His death was announced at 9:45 AM by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, according to Vatican News.
The Pope had been admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on Friday, February 14, after suffering from bronchitis. His condition worsened when doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia on February 18. After 38 days in hospital, he returned to his residence to continue recovery but ultimately succumbed to the illness. He died of heart failure.
Pontiff’s love for South Sudan
Father Loboka said one lasting impression of Pope Francis was his compassion for people.
“He was truly a man for the people,” he said. “He carried South Sudan in his heart. Even during his illness, he wrote a message to President Salva Kiir, urging the nation’s leaders to continue striving for peace.”
“The news from South Sudan always reached him through the Apostolic Nunciature and the media,” Father Loboka continued. “He followed the situation closely and was deeply concerned about the people's suffering. That’s why he felt compelled to communicate once more, encouraging the country's leaders to make bold steps toward peace.”
He called on the people of South Sudan to honor the Pope’s legacy.
“For us in South Sudan, let us pause, reflect, and respect the final moments of this great leader of the Church,” he said. “Let us remember him as a man who truly cared for our country and its people.”
Pope Francis’ body is at St. Peter’s Basilica, where it will lie in state for the faithful to pay their respects ahead of his funeral schedule on Saturday.
