President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis, describing him as “a humble servant of God, tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions around the world.”
In a heartfelt statement personally signed by the President on Monday, Tinubu said the Pope’s passing, shortly after the Easter celebration, signifies a sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians.
“With a heavy heart, I join Catholics and Christians globally in mourning the passing of Pope Francis,” the statement read. “He served the Church and the Master of the Church faithfully until the end. Since 2013, he brought a message of mercy to the world, urging us to see Christ in the faces of the marginalised, migrants, and the forgotten.”
President Tinubu hailed Pope Francis as a beacon of peace who fearlessly spoke truth to power and championed the causes of the oppressed and disadvantaged.
“He challenged the powerful to act with justice, called for compassion towards strangers, and reminded us to protect our planet as a sacred inheritance for future generations,” Tinubu said.
He described the Pope’s teachings and encyclicals as both spiritually enriching and socially relevant, offering moral clarity in a complex world.
Recalling his 2025 Easter message, Tinubu noted his joy at seeing the Pope deliver the traditional Easter blessing at St. Peter’s Basilica. “Just a day later, the Lord called him home, and the world lost one of its strongest moral voices for justice and climate action.”
President Tinubu called on the faithful to honor the Pope’s legacy through acts of compassion, justice, and service.
“Let us not mourn only with words but continue his mission—by uplifting the vulnerable, healing divisions, and defending human dignity,” he urged.
On behalf of the Nigerian government and its people, Tinubu extended condolences to the Catholic Church, the global Catholic community, and Christians worldwide.
“May God Almighty grant His beloved servant eternal rest in His heavenly kingdom,” the President concluded.
