We called him Bob: Kenyans recall time with a down to earth Pope Leo

This photo taken and handout on May 9, 2025 by The Vatican Media shows Pope Leo XIV during a mass with cardinals in the Sistine Chapel in The Vatican. [AFP]

Sometime in December 2024, Robert Francis Prevost touched down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, for one key duty - to open St Augustine's Friary Karen, Nairobi.

But the now new Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, then cardinal, would spare his six hours, within his busy schedule of 24 hours to visit the little known Sacred Heart Baba Dogo Parish in Nairobi's Eastlands, which he helped build.

He also played a key role in development of several other projects in the church including the construction of church's school and a counselling centre.

Little did the congregants know that the man they warmly welcomed would become a global leader of the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV was elected on Thursday evening in the fourth round of voting by 133 catholic cardinals, following the passing on of Pope Francis last month.

"The Pope has been in Kenya for the longest time. But this time he came as a cardinal because of the purpose of dedication of our chapels. Our Augustinian Friary was built under his patronage when he was Superior General of the Order," Rev Father Augustine Juma told The Saturday Standard.

He added: "He knows Kariadudu and Lucky Summer. It was a pleasure to have him come. When he looked at his schedule, it was a very busy schedule, but he managed to squeeze us in his busy 24-hour visit."

During the visit, he said, the Pontiff consecrated the church building that he helped mobilise funds for from Augustinian NGOs.

It emerged that the new Pope has visited the Sacred Heart Baba Dogo Parish in Eastlands, Nairobi, several times.

Juma said the 267th Pope first visited when the school only had about 200 learners.

"At the moment, we have at least 940 learners. It used to be a feeding programme facility for street children."

The first American Pontiff would then proceed to Karen, where he spent time with the faithful during the dedication ceremony.

"We had moments here. We touched base," Juma said, overwhelmed with joy, pointing at the portraits of the new Pope leaning on his office walls.

"We took some drinks, we went to the church, we joked a little bit. We had ample time, even in that heavy and tight schedule that he had."

Juma, however, noted that this was not the first time the new pontiff first stepped foot in the country.

The Pope first came to Kenya in 2001, immediately after his election as Prior General of the Augustinian Order, and this marked the beginning of their interaction.

Since then, Juma said, the Pope has been in the country at least eight times, helping facilitate catholic church missions across the country, including in the remote parts of Kenya.

According to Juma, Pope Leo XIV was instrumental in the establishment of Nyamasaria Catholic Parish, Kisumu, which he personally presided over its dedication alongside other missionary work he led in Meru and Embu, among other areas in Kenya.

"He knows this country like the back of his hand. He knows the people of this country very well - our problems, aspirations, hopes and challenges. He is our brother," he said.

Father Bob Karanja Ireri, regional vicar of the Order of St Augustine, said that the Pope's sermon at the church, when his visit coincided with the elections of former US President Barack Obama, who has Kenyan roots.

"He joked how they hail from the same State of Illinois as the then US President. He felt great," he said.

Ireri said that they last spoke with Pope Leo XIV on April 25, as he was "passing Easter greetings to him and he responded well".

Juma said the Pope played a key role in shaping his life and achieving his ambitions. "I was one of the first Kenyans to be sent to Rome for studies by him. So, today everything I am, everything I do, the knowledge I have, he played a role."

In their seven-year stint in Rome, according to Juma, their friendship blossomed each day as they shared moments in the Vatican. "He did not have a boundary."

"We even used to play tennis. He is a very good tennis player. He even taught us how to play tennis," he stated.

"We will struggle to refer to him as Pope because we are used to calling him Bob. That's the level of our relationship."

He said the Pope portrayed humility, interacting with everyone without discrimination and that his election is a "blessing" to the Catholic Church.

"That is the brotherhood he carries. It doesn't matter to him where you come from or where he came from. And that's why he was a bishop in Peru," he explained.

"That is not his own country. But it tells you how he can immerse himself in the people and make the people appreciate and love him."

Within the Baba Dogo church compound, Jenipher Awino was in high spirits. She explained her interaction with the Pope when he visited the church.

"The Pope found me cleaning the pews when he last came. He greeted me and bid me bye as he left," Awino, the middle-aged woman, said, smiling broadly.

"He didn't just pay attention to the Father and church leaders alone, he loved people. I am really happy," Awino said.

Her sentiments were affirmed by Father Ireri, who described Pope as a down-to-earth person and approachable.

"He is talented in administration. He is a good listener and communicator. A peace-loving person," he said, drawing a parallel to the Pontiff's message during his first address.

According to the clerics, they are hopeful that the new Pope will lead the 1.4 billion Catholics across the globe with dedication, following the church doctrines for the betterment of the people.

"He's very wise, intelligent and very Catholic. He is caring, and has a very good outlook," Ireri said, exuding confidence "given his age, experience, he is capable.''