The Christian faithful and world leaders have joined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in grieving His Holiness Pope Francis’s passing.
The Pope’s death, which occurred one day after he gave his Easter Sunday blessing, is “a sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians,” the President stated in a statement.
According to the statement, Pope Francis was largely considered a reformer and a champion for the weak when he took office in 2013.
The Pope “stepped onto the global stage with a message of mercy, urging us to see the face of Christ in the marginalized, the refugees, the migrants, and the forgotten,” Tinubu recalled as he praised the Pontiff’s unwavering moral leadership.
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In his remarks, the President praised the Pope’s steadfast support of interfaith harmony, environmental conservation, and justice, saying that “he reminded us that our common home—this Earth—is a gift we must protect for future generations, challenged the powerful to act with justice, and called nations to welcome the stranger.”
He claimed that Pope Francis “was a tool of peace who profoundly embodied the message of Christ: love for God and love for humanity.” In a period of worldwide violence and injustice, Tinubu commended the late Pope’s efforts to heal divisions, saying that “he built bridges between faiths and the rich and the poor.”
The Nigerian leader emphasized the Pope’s focus on developing countries and the Vatican’s ongoing concern for areas that are unstable and experiencing economic injustice. “He was an unwavering supporter of the developing world,” Tinubu said. Tours of Nigerian culture
As “doctrinal and seminal… timely and relevant,” Tinubu also praised the Pope’s pastoral letters and encyclicals, saying they provide “spiritual clarity and hope in an increasingly complex world.”
In his Easter message, Tinubu also thanked the Pope for his good health and noted “his appearance to deliver the traditional Easter Sunday blessing in St. Peter’s Basilica.” The world lost its most vehement voice for justice and action against climate change when the Lord called him home the following day, the President remarked.
In order to honor the late Pope’s legacy, the Nigerian president called on the populace to take action. “Let us honor him not just with words but also with deeds: by uplifting the downtrodden, mending our communities, and upholding the dignity of every individual.”
“The Catholic Church, the international Catholic community, and the Christian faithful have my deepest sympathies on behalf of the Nigerian government and people.
“May God Almighty grant eternal rest to His beloved servant,” the message continued.
