Osamagbe Imadiyi
The Federal Government joined the rest of the world in mourning after Pope Francis passed away on Monday at the age of 88. The venerated leader of the Roman Catholic Church passed away the day after attending Easter Sunday services at the Vatican. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu led the country’s tributes, calling Pope Francis “a humble servant of God, tireless champion of the poor, and guiding light for millions.”
Tinubu considered the Pope’s legacy in a statement that he personally signed, referring to his passing as “a sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians.” “Until the very end, His Holiness served the Church and the Church Master.” Tinubu stated, “He came to the world stage in 2013 with a message of mercy, calling us to see the face of Christ in the forgotten, the refugees, the migrants, and the marginalized.”
The President commended the Pope’s efforts to bridge socioeconomic and religious gaps as well as his dedication to environmental preservation and justice. Tinubu conveyed his sadness that the Pontiff died just one day after his appearance during the recent Easter celebrations. Tinubu expressed his sympathies to the Catholic community worldwide and reaffirmed, “May God Almighty grant His beloved servant eternal rest.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni lamented the passing of “a great man,” while French President Emmanuel Macron commended the Pope for standing “on the side of the most vulnerable and the most fragile.” Israeli President Isaac Herzog recognized his efforts in interfaith dialogue, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to him as “a beacon of compassion. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nigeria, meanwhile, conveyed its sorrow. Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Ministry’s spokesperson, described the late Pontiff as “a global moral leader whose papacy was marked by humility, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to peace, social justice, and the dignity of all people.”
