South Africa’s immediate former ambassador to the Holy See, George Johannes, passed away in Rome, Italy.
Paul Samasumo – Vatican City.
Ambassador George Johannes passed away on November 30, 2022 at the Mariannhill Missionaries General House in Rome, where he has been staying with the Mariannhill community of priests and brothers since November 2021.
The congregation has its foundation in South Africa.
a devout catholic
Mariannhill Generalate leadership said Vatican News that on November 30 Ambassador Johannes did not appear for morning mass in the Generalate chapel as was his custom.
“That day he did not come to morning mass or breakfast. When he didn’t show up for lunch either, the community grew concerned. We knocked several times on the door of his room, but there was no answer. Finally, we open his door and find him dead. We were shocked and very sad. Ambassador Johannes was not just a friend of our community, he became a part of us and very often took one of the readings at Holy Mass. He almost never missed daily Holy Mass. May the soul of this humble and simple great son of Africa rest in peace.” Father Patrick Chongo CMM, Superior of the Generalate, said Vatican News.
He was 78 years old.
Great admiration for Pope Francis
During his tour of duty as South Africa’s ambassador to the Holy See, George Johannes often spoke glowingly of Pope Francis. On several occasions he told her Vatican News that he was impressed with Pope Francis’ understanding of African problems.
Once, after an event in the Vatican, he said Vatican News“What moved me the most is that Pope Francis has a very good feeling and understanding of what is happening in Africa,” he added. “I spoke to Pope Francis and told him: ‘His Holiness, we need him in Africa…. His presence carries a certain message for Africa,’” Ambassador Johannes recounted.
Politician, professor, diplomat and Ubuntu
After leaving the diplomatic service just over a year ago, Ambassador Johannes continued to teach at a Pontifical University in Rome. At lectures, he was always willing to share his knowledge about life in Africa, especially about the ‘Ubuntu’ Philosophy.
George Johannes sometimes recalled the dark days of Apartheid, life in exile and his friendship with colleagues from the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa. In his views, he was a pan-Africanist.
Proud to be a Catholic, he would later become an accomplished academic and a distinguished diplomat.
His family and the South African authorities will communicate further information on the repatriation of the remains of Ambassador George Johannes to South Africa.
