Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference asks for prayers as church prepares to elect successor to Pope Francis 

The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC) following the death of Pope Francis has urged the church in Ghana to pray and prepare hearts for the election of his successor.

In a statement, the Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the Catholic Bishop of Sunyani and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference, asked for prayers as the church mourns "our beloved Holy Father and as we prepare our hearts for the election of his successor."

He indicated that a National Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date to be determined.

"All bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful who are able to attend will be warmly invited to participate in this solemn liturgy. 

"All archdioceses, dioceses, and parishes are encouraged to organise local Requiem Masses and special Holy Hours in honour of Pope Francis. These should be moments of prayerful reflection on his teachings and witness," the statement added. 

"Schools, seminaries, and other Catholic institutions may wish to host prayer services, talks, or discussions to help the faithful, especially the young, to appreciate the life and legacy of Pope Francis." 

"Let us also remember to pray for the Church throughout the world as we mourn our beloved Holy Father and as we prepare our hearts for the election of his successor," the statement added.

The process for choosing a new pope - conclave - generally takes place between 15 and 20 days after the death of a pontiff.

The Vatican on Monday morning announced the death of Pope Francis in a video statement.

Francis became pope in 2013. In recent years, the 88-year-old was forced to cancel some events, sometimes at the last minute, because of his health.

Bishop of Rome

The pontiff, who was Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church, became pope in 2013 after his predecessor Benedict XVI resigned.

Francis had experienced a string of health worries in recent years and spent 38 days in hospital in February and March this year.

But he recovered enough to leave hospital and just yesterday was greeting crowds on Easter Sunday in St Peter's Square.

The process for choosing a new pope - conclave - generally takes place between 15 and 20 days after the death of a pontiff.

Recent hospital visits

In recent years, his papacy had been marked by several hospital visits and concerns about his health.

On 14 February, the Pope was admitted to hospital for bronchitis treatment.

In the days that followed, the Vatican said he had been diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia and that he had blood transfusions after tests revealed he had low levels of platelets in his blood, which is associated with anaemia.

On 22 February, it said the Pope was in a critical condition after a "prolonged respiratory crisis" that required a high flow of oxygen, and the next day the Vatican said Francis was showing an "initial, mild" kidney failure.

In the following days, thousands of faithful gathered in St Peter's Square to pray for his recovery, as others went to the Rome hospital where he was staying to leave flowers and cards.

He remained in hospital for the rest of the month, with doctors saying that his condition remained "complex".

On 6 March, his voice was heard for the first time since being admitted to hospital in an audio message, in which he thanked well-wishers, before adding: "I am with you from here."

On Sunday, he greeted crowds at the Easter Sunday Service, a day after meeting US vice president JD Vance.

His 38-day hospital stay ended on 23 March when he made his first public appearance in five weeks on a balcony at Gemelli where he smiled and gave a thumbs up to the crowds gathered outside.

He returned to the Vatican, making a surprise stop at his favourite basilica on the way home, before beginning two months of prescribed rest and recovery.

Doctors said Francis would have access to supplemental oxygen and 24-hour medical care as needed - adding that while the pneumonia infection had been successfully treated, the pontiff would continue to take oral medication for quite some time to treat the fungal infection in his lungs and continue his respiratory and physical physiotherapy.

Related: Pope Francis dead at 88 Vatican reports

'People's Pope'

Born in 1936, Francis was the first pope from South America. His papacy was marked by his championing of those escaping war and hunger, as well as those in poverty, earning him the moniker the "People's Pope".

In 2016, he washed the feet of refugees from different religions at an asylum centre outside Rome in a "gesture of humility and service".

He also made his views known on a wide range of issues, from climate change to wealth inequality and the role of women in the Catholic Church.

His acceptance of the LGBTQ community was unprecedented - beginning with an unexpected remark to reporters on a flight back from Brazil about gay clergy.

He said: "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge them?"

However, in April 2024 he appeared to reiterate the Vatican's staunch opposition to gender reassignment, surrogacy, abortion and euthanasia, by signing the text "Dignitas Infinita" (Infinite Dignity).

In the same year, his own liberal credentials were questioned after reports he used a homophobic slur behind closed doors.

Pope's health in recent years

As a young man in his native Argentina, Francis had part of one lung removed.

In the last few years of his life, Francis needed a wheelchair or a cane to get around and limited his public speaking while struggling with bronchitis and flu.

Francis first spent time in hospital as pope in 2021 for an operation to remove part of his colon.

In June 2023 he was admitted to hospital for an operation on his intestine. At the time, the Vatican said he had been suffering "recurrent, painful and worsening" symptoms caused by an abdominal hernia.

His recent health issues meant he was forced to miss significant events in the Roman Catholic calendar, including the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome's Colosseum last year.

In 2022, he hinted he might step down if his health deteriorated after he was pictured using a wheelchair due to mobility issues caused by a flare-up of sciatica - a nerve condition that causes leg pain.

His predecessor, the late Benedict XVI, became the first pope to resign in more than 600 years in 2013 instead of serving for life, and died in 2022.

The Pope's original name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio and he previously served as a bishop in Buenos Aires.

An estimated 1.4 billion Catholics across the world will mourn Francis' passing.

Attached below is a copy of the statement from the GCBC

STATEMENT FROM THE GHANA CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE (GCBC) ON THE DEATH OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS 

To: The Clergy, Consecrated Men and Women, and All Christ’s Faithful in Ghana 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

With deep sorrow and yet with great faith in the victory of Christ over death, I write to inform you of the passing into eternal life of His Holiness, Pope Francis, the Supreme Pontiff and Servant of the Servants of God. 

The Holy Father died peacefully in the Lord earlier today, 21st April 2025. As the Successor of St. Peter, Pope Francis served the Church with profound humility, unwavering faith, and a tireless commitment to the poor, to peace, and to the care of the environment, our common home.

His life and ministry were a powerful witness to the Gospel values of love, mercy, and compassion. 

In this moment of great loss for the Universal Church, I ask that all bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful across the Local Church in Ghana offer prayers for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. May the Lord, whom he served so faithfully and joyfully, welcome him into the eternal joy of His heavenly kingdom. 

To honour the memory and legacy of our beloved Holy Father: 

1. A National Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date to be determined. All bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful who are able to attend will be warmly invited to participate in this solemn liturgy. 

2. All archdioceses, dioceses, and parishes are encouraged to organize local Requiem Masses and special Holy Hours in honour of Pope Francis. These should be moments of prayerful reflection on his teachings and witness. 

3. Schools, seminaries, and other Catholic institutions may wish to host prayer services, talks, or discussions to help the faithful, especially the young, to appreciate the life and legacy of Pope Francis. Let us also remember to pray for the Church throughout the world as we mourn our beloved Holy Father and as we prepare our hearts for the election of his successor. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. In Christ, our Risen Lord,