President Ndayishimiye asks Pope Leo to grant Burundi a cardinal #rwanda #RwOT

He made the appeal on Friday, August 15, 2025, during the official inauguration of the Mugera Basilica, dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua and attended by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State. Located in Gitega Province, Mugera Parish has been elevated to the status of a minor basilica, the first of its kind in Burundi.

President Ndayishimiye expressed gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for choosing Mugera as the first Basilica under his papacy, and invited him to personally celebrate Mass there.

'We have come to receive the gift from our father, Pope Leo XIV, who has granted Mugera Church the title of Basilica. We invite him to come and bless it at a time he finds suitableâ€"let him come to his home,' the President said.

He added that a papal visit to Burundi would include a Mass at the new Basilica.

'From today, this Basilica is his home. Mugera Church has long been a symbol of faith for all Christians, welcoming even Protestants. It is a place for all Burundians. We are deeply grateful to the Pope for this gift,' Ndayishimiye said.

The President emphasised the significance of the Basilica for national unity and called on Burundians to contribute to its development.

'This is the first Basilica under Pope Leo XIV. We hope it will become a place where we meet Godâ€"a space of peace, reflection, and inspiration to build our country,' he said.

He further urged the Pope to consider granting Burundi a Cardinal to oversee the Basilica.

'While the Basilica has been conferred, a Cardinal is still needed to shepherd it. We hope that all who pray here will feel at home, as Saint Peter once guided his followers. This will be a hub uniting Christians across the region,' the President said.

The Mugera Parish was founded in 1908 during the reign of King Mwezi Gisabo by missionaries Father Van Der Burgt and Father Van Der Wee. In 1922, as Burundi became an independent Vicariate, Mugera became the seat of its first Bishop, Monsignor Julien Louis Gorju, making it the country's first cathedral.

Mugera, formerly known as 'Mu mana za Mugera,' also produced the first Burundian priests, Father Patrice Ntidendereza and Emile Ngendagende, who were ordained in 1925.