Tanzania Lays Cardinal Polycarp Pengo to Rest as Africa Honors His Legacy
Tanzania has laid to rest Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, who passed away on 15 February 2026 in Dar es Salaam after an illness. He was interred on 28 February at the Pugu Pilgrimage Centre in a funeral that drew thousands of faithful, religious leaders, diplomats, and government officials from across Africa and beyond.
The Funeral Mass was presided over by the Archbishop of Dar es Salaam, Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa’ichi, while burial rites were led by the Archbishop of Kinshasa and President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu. Cardinals and Bishops from several African nations were present, including Cardinal Antoine Kambanda of Kigali and Bishop Charles Kasonde of Solwezi, who also serves as President of AMECEA. Tanzania’s Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi attended on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
In his homily, Archbishop Ruwa’ichi reflected on the Christian understanding of death, asking why the righteous die and reminding mourners that death is not abandonment by God but a passage toward eternal life. Referring to the Gospel account of Lazarus, he recalled Christ’s words, I am the resurrection and the life, urging the faithful to respond not only with sorrow but with renewed commitment to faith, justice, mercy, and love.
Cardinal Pengo served the Church for more than 55 years as a priest and over four decades as a Bishop. He ministered in several dioceses before becoming Archbishop of Dar es Salaam, where he was widely respected for his moral clarity, defense of human dignity, and dedication to national unity. During his leadership of SECAM from 2007 to 2009, he emphasized that evangelisation must be inseparable from social justice, peace, and respect for human dignity.
Cardinal Ambongo described him as a prophet of human dignity and peace in Africa, while Bishop Kasonde noted his efforts to strengthen regional solidarity and promote a self reliant African Church. The President of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference, Bishop Wolfgang Pisa, expressed gratitude for what he called the gift of his life and encouraged prayer and reflection as the Church continues its mission.
Vice President Nchimbi praised Cardinal Pengo’s integrity and service to the vulnerable, highlighting the Church’s contribution to national development through education, health care, and social outreach. He urged citizens to honor the late Cardinal’s legacy by choosing unity over division and responsibility over political polarization.
The Apostolic Nuncio to Tanzania, Archbishop Angelo Accattino, described Cardinal Pengo as a gift to the universal Church. Throughout his ministry, he promoted dialogue between Church and state, encouraged interreligious cooperation, and supported higher education initiatives that strengthened moral and civic formation. His consistent message linked faith with social responsibility, calling believers to shape public life through justice, unity, and respect for every human person.
