Remembering Letsile Tebogo’s Special Moment with the Late Pope Francis
This article reflects on the lasting impact of the late Pope Francis on Letsile Tebogo’s life after a meeting they had in Rome in 2024.
whose influence will continue even after his passing.
Pope Francis’s passing was announced by the Holy Roman Church’s Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell, early on Easter Monday.
His death undoubtedly shocked the world, coming as a surprise despite his ongoing illness. Just last month, the Pope was discharged from the hospital after a five-week treatment for an infection that resulted in double pneumonia.
In 2024, Letsile Tebogo did not have one of the best seasons as he lost his mother, Seratiwa Tebogo, in May, just aged 44.
Letsile Tebogo somehow manoeuvred through the season, winning the 200m Olympic title and anchoring Team Botswana to a silver medal in the men’s 4x400m relay.
He was on fire in the Diamond League Meetings after the Paris Olympic Games, and that was also the time he met the Pope, probably one of the highlights of his season.
Letsile Tebogo was due to compete in the men’s 100m at the Diamond League Meeting in Rome when he met Pope Francis.
The Pope congratulated him and was in awe of his performance at the Olympic Games. He even signed a pair of spikes, and he will have something to remember for years to come. Letsile Tebogo was over the moon, sharing a post on his Instagram handle.
