Cardinal Polycarpe Pengo, Archbishop Emeritus of Dar es Salaam, dies at the age of 81

Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, Archbishop Emeritus of Dar es Salaam and Former President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has died February 19, 2026, at the age of 81. The funeral arrangements of the deceased Cardinal are scheduled for February 27-28, 2026.

The death of Cardinal Polycarp Pengo was announced on February 19, by Most Rev. Thaddaeus Ruwa’ichi, Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam, who said the prelate passed away while receiving treatment at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, Tanzania’s national specialised cardiovascular hospital.

In his statement, Archbishop Ruwa’ichi called on the faithful to pray for the repose of the late Cardinal’s soul. Cardinal Pengo was the second Tanzanian to be elevated to the College of Cardinals, after Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa, who was created cardinal in 1960 by Pope John XXIII. Most Rev. Pengo himself was elevated to the cardinalate in 1998 by Pope John Paul II and served as Archbishop of Dar es Salaam until his retirement in 2019.

Who was Cardinal Pengo?

Born on August 5, 1944, in Mwazye, Tanzania, Pengo undertook his priestly formation at Kaengesa Minor Seminary before continuing his philosophical and theological studies at Kipalapala Major Seminary. He was ordained a priest on June 20, 1971, and later pursued advanced studies in Rome, earning a doctorate in Moral Theology from the Pontifical Lateran University in 1977.

His episcopal ministry began in 1983 when he was appointed Bishop of Nachingwea, later serving in the Diocese of Tunduru-Masasi. In 1992, he became Metropolitan Archbishop of Dar es Salaam.

As a cardinal, Pengo participated in the 2005 conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI and the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis. He also served as President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) from 2007 to 2013 and held several key roles within Vatican dicasteries.

Pope Francis accepted his resignation on 15 August 2019 upon reaching the canonical retirement age of 75, concluding 27 years of service as head of the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam.

SECAM Communication’s Office