The Muslim Public Affairs Centre Nigeria, MPACN, has paid glowing tribute to the late Pope Francis, commending his unwavering stance against injustice and his vocal criticism of the Israeli war in Gaza.
The Vatican announced the Pope’s passing yesterday at the age of 88. He was said to be the first pontiff from the Americas and led the Catholic Church since 2013.
In a statement made available to journalists, the Executive Chairman of MPACN, Disu Kamor, described Pope Francis as a remarkable religious icon whose leadership and advocacy for global peace and justice will be deeply missed.
“His consistent criticism of the Israeli war in Gaza highlighted the suffering of the Palestinian people and brought international attention to their plight,” Kamor said, praising the Pope for standing firmly with the oppressed and voiceless.
The group recalled one of Pope Francis’s most poignant moments in December 2024, when an Israeli strike on Jabalia claimed the lives of seven children. The Pope condemned the attack, stating, “This is cruelty, this is not war.”
MPACN emphasized the importance of such moral clarity from religious leaders, adding, “The Pope’s legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of religious leaders and icons to stand up for human rights and the dignity of all peoples.”
Pope Francis made his final public statement on Easter Sunday, just a day before his death, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza through an aide and describing the humanitarian situation as “deplorable.”
Offering condolences to the global Christian community, especially Catholics in Nigeria, MPACN said: “We send our deepest condolences to the entire Catholic community in Nigeria, and the whole Christian community affected by the loss of this remarkable religious icon.”
The group expressed hope that Pope Francis’s legacy would continue to inspire efforts toward a more just and peaceful world.