*Says Late Pontiff championed values of love, tolerance, Justice
By Achadu Gabriel, kaduna
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has joined the global Christian community in mourning the demise of Pope Francis, describing the late pontiff as a towering figure of peace, humility, and transformational leadership.
The Chairman, Rev. Dr. John Joseph Hayab, in a statement issued on Monday, said the news of the Pope’s passing is a moment of profound grief for Christians around the world, including the Roman Catholic faithful in Northern Nigeria.
“Pope Francis was more than a spiritual leader. He was a symbol of hope, peace and compassion in an increasingly divided world,” Hayab said. “His papal era was marked by remarkable progress, spiritual awakening and bold reform.”
Recalling the late Pope’s commitment to inclusivity and justice, Hayab noted that Pope Francis’s emergence as the first Latin American and Jesuit pontiff brought a unique blend of humility, intellect and pastoral concern to the helm of the Catholic Church.
“He advocated for the poor, defended the environment and promoted interfaith harmony. He never hesitated to speak truth to power and challenge systems of exclusion,” Hayab added.
Northern CAN emphasized the impact of Pope Francis’s leadership not only within the Vatican but also across local parishes, missions and Catholic institutions in Nigeria.
The group said his messages of service, dialogue, and mercy resonated with the faithful and inspired broader ecumenical unity.
“To the Christian community in Northern Nigeria and to Catholics worldwide, this is a time not only of mourning, but of reflection and celebration,” the statement read. “We must reaffirm our commitment to the values Pope Francis championed: Love, tolerance, justice, and service to humanity.”
Hayab urged Christians to draw strength from the Pope’s enduring legacy and to continue fostering unity across denominational and religious lines in line with the late Pope’s vision.
“We pray that the global Church finds strength in this difficult hour, and that the Catholic faithful in Nigeria and around the world are comforted by the assurance of eternal life promised in Christ,” he said.
“May the soul of His Holiness, Pope Francis, rest in perfect peace. And may God bless the Church he so faithfully served,” the statement concluded.
