(OSV News) -- Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, the archbishop emeritus of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, was remembered by Pope Leo XIV and Church leaders as a leading voice for the underprivileged and interreligious dialogue in Africa.
Cardinal Pengo died Feb. 19 at age 81 and will be buried at the Pugu Pilgrimage Center, where the archdiocese is building a new cathedral.
Cardinal Pengo died while undergoing treatment at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiology Institute in the Tanzanian capital, hours after arriving in the country from India. The cardinal had sought treatment in the Asian country since late December, according to Church officials, but had requested he be brought back to Tanzania after his health deteriorated.
Condolences have continued to pour in for the prominent prelate, considered a leading spiritual, moral and national voice in the East African country. He spoke strongly on social justice, advocated for marginalized, poor, and against corruption. He also advocated for the coexistence of Christians and Muslims.
On Feb. 21, Pope Leo mourned Cardinal Pengo as a "wise and gentle pastor" who devoted episcopal ministry over many years to several local churches, highlighting especially his dedication to the formation of the clergy, as well as his service to the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, known as SECAM, and the Holy See.
"I offer heartfelt condolences to you and to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam," Pope Leo said in a telegram to Archbishop Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa'ichi of Dar es Salaam. "I join you in commending the soul of this wise and gentle pastor to the mercy of Christ, the Good Shepherd."
On Feb. 27, his body will be brought to the St. Joseph's Cathedral and a requiem Mass will be celebrated in the afternoon. His funeral Mass will be Feb. 28 at Pugu Pilgrimage Center.
"The Catholic Church has suffered a great loss following the death," Archbishop Ruwa'ichi said, announcing the cardinal's death.
Archbishop Charles Kasonde of Solwezi, Zambia, chairman of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa, known as AMECEA, said bishops in Africa will remember Cardinal Pengo for promoting the Church's financial self-reliance and for depending on Africa's cultural values.
"Among us, he was a towering presence of Christian integrity and courage, making him the prophetic voice of the church. His pastoral zeal and leadership style were so admired that he was highly regarded among fellow bishops across the" bishops' conference in Tanzania, said Kasonde in a message of condolence.
Cardinal Pengo was born on Aug. 5, 1944, and ordained priest in 1971. He obtained a doctorate from Pontifical Lateran University in 1977.
He was appointed the bishop of Nachingwea (now Lindi) in 1983 and of Tunduru-Masasi in 1986.
In 1990, he was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Dar es Salaam, and in 1992, he became the archbishop. St. John Paul II made him a cardinal in 1998.
He participated twice in a conclave, electing Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 and Pope Francis in 2013.
He served as president of SECAM from 2007 to 2009 and was a member of various Vatican dicasteries, then called congregations, including the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
In 2019, Cardinal Pengo retired from leading the archdiocese, but continued to support the Church in Tanzania and Africa.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of Kinshasa, Congo, who is SECAM president, expressed sorrow and paid tribute to Cardinal Pengo for his outstanding service to the Church and commitment to its mission.
"Cardinal Pengo was a remarkable shepherd, whose dedicated service to the Church and unwavering commitment to the mission of Christ left a lasting legacy," Cardinal Ambongo said in a statement.
"His leadership as the Archbishop of Dar es Salaam and as the President of SECAM was marked by deep faith, pastoral zeal and tireless efforts to promote unity and solidarity among the African Churches," the prelate said.
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan mourned Cardinal Pengo as a firm crusader of peace, morality and national peace. In 2021, she recognized the cardinal for his advocacy on peace and unity.
Zambian Archbishop Kasonde added in Cardinal Pongo's remembrance message: "We shall truly miss his presence in the region, especially the wisdom he shared with us whenever we sought his counsel," he added.
