The New Ancestor
Pope Francis, like many elders—forefathers and foremothers—who came before, is now an ancestor. He has joined those we honor for their vital roles in our communities, those we hold in high esteem for their closeness to the Supreme Being. As such, the Bishop of Rome now partakes in the libations we pour—libations that symbolize our unity with the Creator and our continued bond with those in the ancestral realm.
The Epistemological Proof of Francis’s Status as an Ancestor
In African epistemology, knowing transcends the limitations of empiricism. Knowledge may come through dreams, divination, ancestral presence, or communal wisdom. In this worldview, testimony carries epistemic value. And we have such testimony confirming that Francis is enjoying the eternal presence of the Creator in the invisible ancestral domain.
Since his transition, Pope Francis has been acknowledged by people around the world—regardless of religion or even the absence of it—as a father figure who embodied love, compassion, and empathy. From Christians and Muslims to Buddhists, atheists, agnostics, and politicians, all recognized the authenticity of his life and witness. This universal affirmation stands as further proof: Francis is a worthy ancestor who now dwells among those who answered the great call before him.
Ancestral Dwelling Places
Today, as I pour my libation to the Creator—a gesture of communion with my ancestors—I name Francis as a new ancestor who shares in the glory of Alandimmu, the land of the spirits. From this sacred realm, Francis now sees Chukwuokike-Chineke—the Creator—face to face. For him, Job’s ancient longing has become fulfilled.
“I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” — Job 19:25–27
Honoring a Spiritual Transition
To name Pope Francis in libation is to affirm his transformation into a New World Ancestor—a figure of spiritual significance who remains present through memory, testimony, and ritual. His life and legacy are now woven into the spiritual fabric of those who continue to seek the Creator’s face.
The epistemological proof of Francis Status as an ancestor
In African epistemology, knowing is not limited to empiricism as the ancestors, and the Creator can communicate knowledge through other means such as the diviner’s die, dreams, ancestral or community wisdom. As it stands, we have testimonies with epistemological values on why Francis is no doubt enjoying the eternal presence of the Creator in our ancestral invisible territory.
For example, since he answered the great call, Pope Francis has been recognized by the entire world, independent of their religious belief, or the absence thereof, to be a father who embodied love, compassion and empathy. He has been praised by Christians, Muslims, Buddhist, atheists, agnostics, politicians and name it, for the authenticity of his testimony. All these are indication that Francis is a worthy ancestor who now sits with other ancestors who answered the great call before him.
Ancestral dwelling place
Today, as I pour my libation to the Creator in a gesture of my communion with my ancestors, I name Francis as a new ancestor who shares in the glory of Alandimmu — the land of the spirits. From now on, Francis, sees Chukwuokike-Chineke – the Creator— face to face and for him Job’s desire to see God face-to-face has become a reality that we now celebrate.
