Reactions to the Death of Nelson Mandela - Statements by Pope Francis, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, Archbishop Stephen Brislin and Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit

Sep 21, 2026

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Statements and reactions from religious leaders to the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela. Coverage includes tributes describing Mandela’s steadfast commitment to human rights, human dignity, reconciliation, nonviolence, and truth after apartheid. The text also highlights his role in leading a peaceful transition to democratic rule and calls for consolation and strength for Mandela’s family and the people of South Africa, emphasizing a shared unity across races and faiths.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

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Pages16

Reading Time40 min

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Reactions to the Death of Nelson Mandela

Pope Francis

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz

Archbishop Stephen Brislin

Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit

371V1eS yrdeUCO0UNU 30+503t07n2( "His years ofimprisonmentexemplified the suffering experienced by so many who seekjustice.” Detroit,MI 48221 8425 West McNichols/Rood infection,died at his home in Johannesburg.He was 95.Others commended Mandela forleading a peaceful transition to democraticrule after his releasefrom prisonin 1990 after27 years and his election in 1994 as SouthAfrica's first black president.The president ofthe U.S.Conference of Catholic Bishops alsomourned Mandela's passing,calling him anicon."In his struggle against apartheid rule,Nelson Mandela was a light for peace andequality in his country and for the wholeworld,"said Archbishop Joseph E.Kurtz ofLouisville,Ky.Archbishop Stephen Brislinof Cape Town,president of the SouthernAfrican Catholic Bishops'Conference,saidin a statement that the death of Mandelabroughtgreat sadness,and he expressed grat-itude for the sacrifice Mandela“made for allpeoples of South Africa and for the leader-ship and inspiration he gave in leading uson the path of reconciliation."The Rev.OlavFykse Tveit,general secretary of the WorldCouncil of Churches,said Mandela“firmlybelieved that humanity is one,and he ralliedus together —people of all races,religionsand walks of life —in the struggle to bringabout a universal consciousness of our unityas human beings and our interdependence.”Following are statements by Pope Francis,Archbishop Kurtz,Archbishop Brislin andRev.Tveit Reactions to theDeath of NelsonMandela Religious Leaders Pope Francis joined faith leaders fromaround the world in crediting NelsonMandela for a steadfast commitment to pro-moting human rights and upholding thedignity of all people in response to the deathDec.5 ofthe former president ofSouth Africa.In a message to South Africa President JacobZuma,Pope Francis said he offered a prayerto assure that Mandela's efforts to forge anew nation based on nonviolence,reconcili-ation and truth after the apartheid era“willinspire generations of South Africans to putjustice and the common good at the forefrontof their political aspirations."Mandela,whohad been battling complications froma lung Pope Francis contents 473 Reactions to the Death ofNelson Mandelaby Pope Francis,Archbishop Joseph E.Kurtz,ArchbishopStephen Brislin and theRev.Olav Fykse Tveit476 Homily at Mass Closingthe Year of Faithby Pope Francis477 Statement on ACLULawsuit Against USCCBOver Ethical and ReligiousDirectives by Archbishop Joseph E.Kurtz 478 New York Times Editorialon ACLU Lawsuit AgainstUSCCB Is 'Misleading andin Error' by the Catholic HealthAssociation of the UnitedStates 479 Reviewing and RecoveringSacrosanctum Concilium'sTheological Visionby Father Jeremy Driscoll,OSB488Datebook 488 On File December 19,2013 Volume 43 Number 29 t was with sadness that I learned ofthe death of former president NelsonMandela,and I send prayerful con-dolences to all the Mandela family,to continued on page 474 One of the world's nostrevered statesmen,NelsonMandela had a touchof humanity rarely seenin political leaders,saidCardinal Wilfrid Napier ofDurban,South Africa,in aninterview with Catholic NewsService earlier this yearCardinal Napier repre-sented the South AfricanCatholic Church in discus-sions between Mandela andchurch leaders beginning in1990,following Mandelasrelease after 27 years inprison,until he retired frompublic life in 2004. Cardinal Napier said hecame to treasure Mandelathrough regular meetingschuurch leaders had with hisAfrican National Congress inthe transition from apartheidto democracy. "I always felt we shouldintroduce ourselves to himagain,but it was never nec-essary,"said the cardinal,who was presideut oftheSouthemn African CatholicBishops'Conference from1987 to 1994. Mandela "rememberednames and faces and alwaysgave us a hearty welcome,"he said. "I came to realize that ifhehad met someone he had notrouble remembering theirnames or where they werefrom.To him,people nat-tered because ofwho theywere,n

FAQs

Why did Pope Francis respond to Nelson Mandela’s death?

Pope Francis joined faith leaders in crediting Mandela for promoting human rights and upholding the dignity of all people. He offered prayers connected to Mandela’s efforts toward a new nation based on nonviolence, reconciliation, and truth.

What qualities do the religious statements emphasize about Mandela’s legacy?

They emphasize a steadfast commitment to human rights, the dignity of all people, and leadership toward reconciliation after apartheid. Multiple statements frame Mandela as a model for justice, peace, and equality.

How do the statements describe Mandela’s impact on South Africa’s political transition?

The text highlights Mandela’s role in leading a peaceful transition to democratic rule after his release from prison. It also notes the influence of his leadership and inspiration in guiding South Africans along a path of reconciliation.

Sep 21, 2026

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