Pope Leo XIV has expressed gratitude for Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier OFM’s devoted service to the Church in South Africa, sending him greetings and an Apostolic Blessing as he celebrates his 85th birthday and other significant milestones in his religious and ecclesial life.

In a message dated 17 October 2026, the Holy Father commended the Cardinal’s ministry to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, and imparted his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of “abiding joy and peace in Christ our Lord”.

The message was conveyed by the Apostolic Nuncio to Southern Africa, Archbishop Henryk M. Jagodziński, during the Sunday, 8 November 2026 celebration at St Patrick’s Cathedral in the Diocese of Kokstad.

Pope Leo recognises decades of service

The papal message acknowledged Cardinal Napier’s 65 years of Franciscan religious profession, 56 years of priesthood, 45 years of episcopal ordination and 25 years since his elevation to the College of Cardinals.

“With gratitude to Almighty God for his devoted service to the People of God in South Africa,” Pope Leo wrote, extending his good wishes to the Cardinal on these milestones.

Introducing the message, Archbishop Jagodziński described it as a special sign of communion with the Successor of Saint Peter.

The Nuncio also recalled his personal encounter with Cardinal Napier, who welcomed him warmly during his first visit to the Diocese of Eshowe, where the Cardinal currently serves as Apostolic Administrator.

He described the Cardinal’s years of ministry as a life marked by encounters, prayer, sacrifice and pastoral care, lived in the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Cardinal Napier grateful for the celebration

Speaking after the Mass, Cardinal Napier expressed his joy at seeing St Patrick’s Cathedral filled with faithful who had gathered to celebrate his life and ministry.

“It was wonderful to see the cathedral so full,” he said, recalling the excitement among people even before the liturgy began.

He praised the celebration, particularly the singing, the readings and the homily delivered by Archbishop Zolile Peter Mpambani SCJ, former Bishop of Kokstad.

Cardinal Napier said the occasion was ultimately about giving thanks to God for the different ministries he had been privileged to undertake in the Church.

Asked whether he had expected a message from Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Napier said he was not entirely surprised, describing the Pope as someone who makes an effort to maintain personal contact with the Cardinals.

He recalled that the Holy Father had given cardinals a direct email address to facilitate communication. Having recently sent him a message and received an acknowledgement, Cardinal Napier said he appreciated the Pope’s desire to remain in contact with bishops and particularly cardinals working closely with him.

The 8 November celebration brought together the Apostolic Nuncio, bishops, clergy, religious and hundreds of faithful to honour Cardinal Napier, the first indigenous Bishop of Kokstad, and give thanks for his decades of service to the Church in South Africa and beyond.