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Catholic Church Mourns Passing of Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, Archbishop Emeritus of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, a towering figure in the Tanzanian Catholic Church and the nation’s second-ever Cardinal, passed away on February 19 at the age of 81. Archbishop Thaddaeus Ruwa’ichi confirmed that the Cardinal died while undergoing treatment at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) in Dar es Salaam.
Elevated to the cardinalate by Pope John Paul II in 1998, Pengo’s legacy spans decades of influential service. After earning a doctorate in Moral Theology in Rome, he served as the first Rector of Segerea Theological Seminary before his episcopal appointments in Nachingwea and Tunduru-Masasi. He succeeded Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa as Archbishop of Dar es Salaam in 1992, a role he held until his retirement in 2019. Beyond Tanzania, he was a key voice for the African Church, serving as President of SECAM and participating in the papal conclaves of 2005 and 2013.
In Memoriam: Cardinal Polycarp Pengo (1944–2026)
The Catholic Church in Tanzania is in mourning following the death of Cardinal Polycarp Pengo at age 81. A dedicated scholar and shepherd, Pengo was a member of the College of Cardinals for over 25 years and led the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam for nearly three decades.
Key Milestones:
1971: Ordained to the priesthood.
1983: Appointed Bishop by Pope John Paul II.
1998: Created Cardinal, becoming the second Tanzanian to hold the title.
2007–2009: Served as President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).
Archbishop Thaddaeus Ruwa’ichi has called for prayers for the late Cardinal, with funeral details expected to follow.
The End of an Era: The Legacy of Cardinal Polycarp Pengo
Tanzania has lost one of its most prominent spiritual leaders. Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, who served as the Archbishop of Dar es Salaam for 27 years, passed away this week at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute.
Born in Mwazye in 1944, Pengo’s journey took him from a local minor seminary to the heights of the Vatican. Known for his expertise in Moral Theology and his leadership within the universal Church, he was a fixture in the Roman Curia and a participant in the elections of both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. Despite his international influence, he remained deeply rooted in the Tanzanian faith community until his retirement in 2019. His passing marks the close of a significant chapter for the Church in East Africa.
Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/africa/news/2026-02/tanzania-cardinal-polycarp-pengo-emeritus-archbishop-of-dar-es.html
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