Pope Francis has called for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, particularly residents of Osun State, irrespective of the socio-cultural and religious beliefs.

The Pope, who was represented by the Papal Nuncio to Nigeria Augustine Kassuja, made the appeal during a visit to the Osun Government House in Osogbo, the State Capital.

The Catholic Pontiff said that dialogue instead of violence should be employed in resolving issues of disagreement between people of diverse culture, religion and beliefs.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola expressed his appreciation at the visit of the Catholic Church’s highest hierarchy, and reiterated his administration’s commitment to working with all religious representations to promote peaceful coexistence in the state.

Osun State had been in the news of late especially with regards to religious intolerance.

It would be recalled that a court in the state had ordered that female Muslim students be allowed to wear hijabs to school.

The ruling did not go down well with the State’s chapter of the Christian association of Nigeria, CAN, who directed Christian students to attend schools in their various religious garments.