President Bola Tinubu has joined global leaders in mourning the death of Pope Francis, describing the late pontiff as “a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.”
In an official statement released by the State House on Monday, Tinubu hailed Pope Francis as a moral force who used his global influence to challenge the powerful, defend the marginalised, and urge nations to welcome the stranger.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, passed away on Sunday, a day after delivering his final public appearance in St Peter’s Basilica on Easter Sunday. He was 88.
In his statement, President Tinubu said the pontiff’s passing, coming so soon after the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, marked a “sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians.”
He praised the pope’s unwavering commitment to justice, peace, and environmental stewardship.
“He challenged the powerful to act with justice, called nations to welcome the stranger, and reminded us that our common home—this Earth—is a gift we must protect for future generations,” the President said.
Describing the late pope as an “instrument of peace,” Tinubu recalled Pope Francis’ encyclicals and pastoral letters, which he said offered spiritual clarity in an increasingly complex world.
“His encyclicals were not only doctrinal and seminal but also timely and relevant,” Tinubu said, adding that the pontiff charted a path of renewal for all humanity through both his words and his deeds.
Since his election as the first Jesuit and Latin American pope in 2013, Pope Francis had positioned himself as a moral leader unafraid to confront global inequality.
He consistently advocated for the rights of refugees, the poor, and the disenfranchised.
The pontiff’s outspoken support for climate action and economic justice earned him respect far beyond the Catholic Church.
President Tinubu acknowledged this legacy, stating: “He was a steadfast advocate for the developing world, where he consistently spoke against economic injustice and ceaselessly prayed for peace and stability in troubled regions.”
The President also referenced his Easter message earlier this month, in which he expressed gratitude for the pope’s resilience in the face of illness and praised his Easter Sunday appearance.
“Alas, the Lord called him home a day after, making the world lose its most trenchant voice for justice and action against climate change,” Tinubu said.
Pope Francis’ journey to the papacy was shaped by his humble origins and early struggles.
The son of Italian immigrants who fled fascism, young Jorge Bergoglio worked as a nightclub bouncer and a janitor before training as a chemist. His close association with human rights activist Esther Ballestrino during Argentina’s dictatorship, and her subsequent disappearance, deeply influenced his social justice outlook.
Ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1969, he rose rapidly through the ranks, becoming provincial superior of the Jesuits in Argentina by 1973.
His experiences under authoritarian rule and his own battles with illness, including a serious lung infection and chronic knee pain, would later shape his papacy, characterised by humility, accessibility, and reformist zeal.
As pope, Francis frequently eschewed traditional Vatican grandeur.
He lived in a modest guesthouse rather than the papal palace and often mingled directly with the poor and disenfranchised.
His teachings emphasised mercy over dogma, and he sought to make the Church a more welcoming space for marginalised groups, including the LGBTQ+ community and divorced Catholics.
President Tinubu’s tribute concluded with a call to honour Pope Francis not merely in words, but in action.
“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,” he said.
On behalf of the Nigerian government and people, Tinubu extended condolences to the global Catholic community and Christian faithful around the world, praying that God would receive the pontiff into “His eternal bosom.”
Pope Francis’ death marks the end of a transformative era for the Catholic Church, one defined by his unwavering commitment to justice, humility, and the unrelenting pursuit of peace.
His legacy, as President Tinubu noted, “is a testament to the power of faith in action.”
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