The Catholic Bishops of Uganda will next week embark on a significant pilgrimage to Rome, where they are expected to meet Pope Leo XIV during their traditional ad limina apostolorum visit to the Holy See.
Under their umbrella body, the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), the bishops will begin the journey on Sunday, 15 March. The visit marks an important moment of communion between the Church in Uganda and the universal Catholic Church.
By Fr Isaac Ojok – Lira City
Bishop Sanctus Lino Wanok of the Diocese of Lira in Northern Uganda, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, said the Ugandan bishops will travel to Rome as representatives of the entire Catholic faithful of the country.
“As bishops, we go to Rome carrying the prayers, hopes, and concerns of the people entrusted to our pastoral care,” Bishop Wanok said.
While in Rome, the bishop noted, he will present the realities, challenges, and aspirations of the Diocese of Lira directly to the Holy Father.
The visit, which will last slightly more than a week, will include meetings with several Dicasteries of the Holy See, allowing the bishops to discuss pastoral priorities, challenges facing the Church, and opportunities for strengthening evangelization.
The pilgrimage will culminate in a special audience with Pope Leo XIV—the first time the Ugandan bishops will meet the Holy Father together as a group since his election.
A moment of communion with the universal Church
The ad limina apostolorum visit—literally meaning “to the thresholds of the Apostles”—is a tradition requiring diocesan bishops to travel to Rome approximately every five years. During the visit, they report to the Pope on the pastoral life and mission of their dioceses.
Beyond administrative discussions, the visit is also a profound spiritual moment that strengthens the bond between local Churches and the universal mission of the Catholic Church.
Prayer at the heart of the pilgrimage
In a pastoral letter addressed to the faithful of the Diocese of Lira, Bishop Wanok emphasized that prayer will be central to the bishops’ time in Rome.
At the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul, the bishops will celebrate Holy Mass and pray for the people entrusted to their pastoral care.
“I will carry you with me in spirit,” Bishop Wanok assured the faithful, adding that he will present before the Lord the families of the diocese—their struggles, hopes, and the faith that continues to sustain the Church in the region.
A time for renewal
The ad limina visit also offers bishops a moment of reflection and renewal in their mission as shepherds of God’s people. Through prayer, dialogue, and encounter with the successor of the Apostle Peter, they return to their dioceses strengthened in their pastoral responsibilities.
Bishop Wanok has invited Catholics across Uganda to accompany the bishops spiritually during the pilgrimage. Entrusting the journey to the intercession of Saint Peter, Saint Paul the Apostle, and the Blessed Virgin Mary, he prayed that their intercession may strengthen the faith of families throughout the Lango Sub-region and across Uganda.
