As Catholic Pontiff Passes On @ 88
BY PATRICK MGBODO/CHRISTY ABOGHE/JUDITH OBIANUA
The death of Pope Francis has sparked a global outpouring of grief with Nigerian leaders joining the international community in paying heartfelt tributes to the late pontiff.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, was the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He died at 88 on Easter Monday and was the first non-European pontiff in over 1,200 years.
Among those who reacted to the Pope’s demise were President Bola Tinubu, the Asagba of Asaba, HRM, Obi Prof. Epiphany Azinge, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, Catholic priests and the faithful.
In a statement, President Tinubu described the late pope as a humble servant of God, tireless champion of the poor and guiding light for millions, adding ‘’his passing, coming just after the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection, is a sacred return to his maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians.
According to President Tinubu, ‘’He was an instrument of peace who deeply embodied the message of Christ: love for God and love for humanity. In a time of division, he built bridges between faiths and the rich and the poor.
‘’As we mourn the late Pontiff, let us also celebrate his legacy. Let us honour him not with words alone but with action: by lifting those who are down, healing our communities, and defending the dignity of every person.
Similarly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar extended his deepest condolences to the Holy See, the Catholic Church in Nigeria and across the world, and the entire Christian faithful on the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis.
‘’The departure of Pope Francis marks the end of an era defined by humility, moral courage, and an unwavering commitment to the service of humanity. He was a trailblazer who “dared to walk where no one has gone.” He was a shepherd of the most vulnerable and worked for a better and united world.
‘’Pope Francis was a Pontiff who walked among the people, whose voice echoed the cries of the poor and whose hands reached toward those cast aside by the world. His papacy was a bridge of compassion in a time of division, a balm of grace in a wounded world. ‘’May the memory of Pope Francis continue to inspire us toward unity, compassion, and peace. And may his soul, now freed from the burdens of this world, find eternal rest in the presence of the Almighty’’, he said.
Likewise, Mr Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State and LP presidential candidate said the death of Pope Francis marked the end of another era in the spiritual and moral leadership of the Catholic Church and the wider world.
‘’He constantly strove to draw humanity closer to the ideals of peace, justice, and love. His deep concern for the poor, his steadfast advocacy for moral leadership, and his defence of human dignity earned him the admiration of people across all faiths and nations.
‘’Pope Francis devoted his life to the service of God and humanity. His legacy will live on not only in the hearts of the faithful but also in the global conscience he helped shape with grace, clarity, and conviction. In an age marked by division and uncertainty, his voice remained a steady call to unity, mercy, and justice.
Similarly, the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Asagba Prof Epiphany Azinge, SAN, has expressed profound sadness over the passing of the Head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, on Easter Monday, yesterday, at the age of 88.
Prof Azinge, renowned practicing Catholic, a Knight of Saint John (KSJ) and a Papal Knight of Saint Gregory the Great (KSG), while reacting to the death of the Pope, who was the first Latin American Head of the Church, commiserated the Vatican, the global Catholic Community, Nigerian faithful and the entire Catholics in Asaba over the transition to eternal glory.
He regretted that Pope Francis passed away a day after making an appearance at St. Peter’s Square to wish thousands of worshippers Easter Sunday, describing his 12 – year stewardship in the Catholic Church as remarkable.
According to him, Pope Francis implemented significant reforms and focused on mercy, care for creation and attention to the peripheries of both the Church and society.
The Asagba said the late Pontiff would be remembered for convoking four synods, including the 2024 Synod on Synodality, aimed at increasing participation and inclusivity in Church decision-making.
He added that Pope Francis also implemented reforms to address the clergy abuse crisis, reformed the Roman Curia, the administrative body of the Vatican, to improve its efficiency and accountability, as well as canonized 942 saints, more than any other pope in history.
The Asagba paid tribute to the late Pope for emphasizing the importance of caring for the environment and addressing climate change, reflecting his commitment to social justice and the poor, and leaving an enduring impact on the Catholic Church and the global community at large.
In his reaction, the Director of Social Communications, Issele-Uku Catholic Diocese, nDelta State, Very Rev. Fr. Charles Uganwa told The Pointer that the diocese was mourning the departed pontiff. He said that the Pope died at a ripe age and expressed the hope that a new Pope will be elected soon.
Also Rev. Fr. Stephen Beonyebideme said that the mother Church mourn the death of the vicar of Christ on earth, saying “ while we mourn, we are also reminded of the enduring truth, that while Popes may pass from this life, the Church founded by Christ remain steadfast guided by the holy spirit.
According to him the church will continue to pray for the repose of the soul of the Pope while we look forward for a new successor of St. Peter the vicar of Christ, he added.
In an interview with Mr Kingsley Ebiotu, member of the Catholic church explained that the death of pope Francis is a moment of grief for the church, we morun his passing and join the church in prayer for the repose of his soul.
