KAMPALA, Uganda — Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has publicly credited Pope Francis with a “miracle” that resulted in the birth of his child after nearly a decade of waiting.
In a message shared on X, formerly Twitter, Tayebwa recounted how Pope Francis offered him a special prayer during a visit to the Vatican, which he believes led to the birth of his child after nine years of childless marriage.
“Rest with the angels, Holy Father @Pontifex. I will always cherish the miracles you brought into my life from the first time you gave me a special prayer at the Vatican,” Tayebwa wrote.
According to Tayebwa, during a private meeting with Pope Francis, the pontiff asked what he wanted him to pray for. Tayebwa requested a child, and the Pope offered a specific prayer for that intention.
“Pope Francis gave me a special prayer for me to get a child after spending nine years in marriage without one,” Tayebwa said.
Shortly after returning to Uganda, Tayebwa and his wife conceived. The couple then contacted the Vatican to share the news of their child’s birth.
Years later, Tayebwa, his wife, and their child returned to Rome to present what he called the “gift of God” to Pope Francis, who received and blessed them.
Rest with the angels, Holy Father @Pontifex. I will always cherish the miracles you brought into my life from the first time you gave me a special prayer at the Vatican. I’m glad God gave me a chance to confess to you on several occasions. Your love for the underprivileged and… pic.twitter.com/vg5EtvMaln
— Thomas Tayebwa (@Thomas_Tayebwa) April 21, 2025
“I’m glad God gave me a chance to confess to you on several occasions. Your love for the underprivileged and peace for the world will always define your Papacy. May you intercede for us before our Father in Heaven,” he wrote.
Tayebwa also highlighted Pope Francis’s compassion, particularly towards the marginalized.
“I found Pope Francis to be humble, unifying, and an advocate for the unborn babies,” he said.
He further acknowledged the longstanding spiritual connection between Uganda and the Vatican. “The Uganda martyrs are a serious bridge between Uganda and the Vatican,” he said.
Tayebwa is among the few Ugandans who have had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis on multiple occasions and engage in private conversations.
His testimony stands as a personal account of faith, answered prayers, and the perceived miracles associated with Pope Francis’s legacy.
