PHOTOS! Speaker Among Introduces Twins to Pope Francis

Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament, Annet Anita Among, extended a warm invitation to Pope Francis, urging him to visit Uganda once more. The invitation was made during a private audience with the Pontiff at the Vatican on Saturday, where Speaker Among expressed, “Please come to Uganda again, Uganda loves you.”

The private meeting, which underscored the strong ties between Uganda and the Vatican, was marked by a touching display of humility as Speaker Among was seen kneeling to greet Pope Francis—a gesture that resonated deeply with many. This moment, shared on the Uganda Parliament’s Instagram page, set the tone for a series of meaningful discussions between the two leaders.

During their conversation, Speaker Among reflected on the profound impact of Pope Francis’ previous visit to Uganda in 2015, a visit that left an indelible mark on the nation’s Catholic community and the broader population. She highlighted Uganda’s rich Christian heritage and the vital role that the Catholic Church continues to play in the country’s social, spiritual, and educational development.

In a particularly personal moment, Speaker Among introduced her twins to Pope Francis, who graciously blessed them—a gesture that adds a deeply personal touch to the already significant diplomatic visit.

Following her audience with Pope Francis, Speaker Among also held a separate meeting with His Eminence Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State. Their discussions focused on strengthening the bilateral relations between Uganda and the Vatican, with an emphasis on potential collaborations in education, healthcare, and social justice.

“The relationship between Uganda and the Vatican is one of friendship and shared values,” Speaker Among remarked after the meetings. “We are committed to working closely with the Vatican to further these bonds and to continue supporting the work of the Catholic Church in Uganda.”

Uganda, a nation with a substantial Catholic population, has long enjoyed warm relations with the Vatican. Speaker Among’s visit is seen as a reinforcement of these ties and a gesture of goodwill from the Ugandan government.