PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu and other world leaders are mourning the passing of Pope Francis, who died on Monday, April 20, at the age of 88.
Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, described the late Pope as a tireless champion of the poor and a guiding light for millions.
Tinubu said the Pope’s passing, coming just after the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection, was an indication that the Christian leader returned to his Maker sacredly.
“His Holiness served the Church and the Master of the Church until the end. In 2013, he stepped onto the global stage with a message of mercy, urging us to see the face of Christ in the marginalised, the refugees, the migrants, and the forgotten.
“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.”
Tinubu said Pope Francis was an instrument of peace who deeply embodied the message of Christ: love for God and humanity.
He added that in a time of division, the deceased built bridges between faiths and the rich and the poor and 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 Nigerian president extended his condolences to the Catholic Church and the Christian faithful worldwide.
Also commenting on the Pope’s passing, the US Vice President, JD Vance, who met with the late Pope a day before his death, said his heart went out to millions of Christians all over the world who loved the late faith leader.
He added that he was happy to see the Pope on Sunday, April 20. He also confirmed that the Pope was ‘obviously’ very ill when they met. He said he would always remember the Pope and the homily he gave in the early days of COVID.
In his message, the President of Kenya, William Ruto, described Pope Francis’s death as a big loss to the Catholic faithful and the Christian world.
He said he would be remembered for a life dedicated to serving the Lord, the Church, and humanity.
According to him, the Pope exemplified servant leadership through humility, unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice, and deep compassion for the poor and the vulnerable.
Former vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, also joined the list of those mourning the pope’s demise.
In a message released on Monday, Atiku expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Pope, describing it as the end of an era defined by humility, moral courage, and unwavering service to humanity.
Atiku extended his sympathies to the Holy See, the Catholic Church in Nigeria and across the globe, and the Christian faithful worldwide.
Atiku lauded Pope Francis and described him as a pontiff who led by example, often walking among the people, speaking for the marginalised, and offering kindness in a world filled with division.
The ICIR reported that the Vatican announced the Pope’s passing on Monday morning while the global Christian community continued the 2025 Easter celebration.
The Vatican’s Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced his death in a statement.
Pope Francis, whose real name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936.
He hailed from a humble background and was renowned for his simple lifestyle.
He spent a large part of 2025 in the hospital, treating an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs.
Pope Francis was hospitalised with a complex respiratory tract infection and double pneumonia, which affects both lungs and can make breathing difficult.
He later recovered to the extent where he was able to appear in front of crowds in St. Peter’s Square for Easter Sunday, where he met with US Vice President Vance.
Meanwhile, in a report, The ICIR highlighted what happens when a Pope dies and how his successor is chosen.
A reporter with the ICIR
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