Kehinde Akintola, Author at Tribune Online

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), alongside the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, have expressed deep sorrow over the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88. Joining the global Christian community in mourning, Northern CAN described the late pontiff as a “profound figure of peace, humility, and transformational leadership.” In a statement issued on Monday, the Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. Dr. John Joseph Hayab, said the news of the Pope’s death was a moment of deep grief for Christians around the world, especially the Roman Catholic faithful in Northern Nigeria. “Pope Francis was more than a spiritual leader; he was a symbol of hope, peace, and compassion in an increasingly divided world,” Rev. Hayab said, noting that “his papal era was marked by remarkable progress, spiritual awakening, and bold reform.” Hayab also highlighted the significance of the Pope’s identity as the first Latin American and Jesuit pontiff, praising his unique combination of “humility, intellect, and pastoral concern.” “He advocated for the poor, defended the environment, and promoted interfaith harmony. He never hesitated to speak truth to power and challenge systems of exclusion,” he added. CAN emphasised that Pope Francis’s leadership impacted not only the Vatican but also extended to local parishes, missions, and Catholic institutions in Nigeria. His commitment to “service, dialogue, and mercy,” according to Hayab, “resonated with the faithful and inspired broader ecumenical unity.” “To the Christian community in Northern Nigeria and to Catholics worldwide, this is a time not only for mourning but also for reflection and celebration,” the statement read. “We must reaffirm our commitment to the values Pope Francis championed: love, tolerance, justice, and service to humanity.” Northern CAN called on Christians to draw strength from the Pope’s enduring legacy and continue fostering unity across denominational and religious lines, in line with his vision. “We pray that the global Church finds strength in this difficult hour and that the Catholic faithful in Nigeria and around the world are comforted by the assurance of eternal life promised in Christ,” Hayab said. “May the soul of His Holiness, Pope Francis, rest in perfect peace. And may God bless the Church he so faithfully served.” Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, also mourned the pontiff’s passing, describing him as “a towering spiritual leader and a tireless advocate for global peace, compassion, and human dignity.” In a condolence message through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Speaker Abbas extended heartfelt sympathies to the Catholic Church, the global Christian community, and the Holy See. “He was not just a religious leader,” the Speaker said, “but a beacon of hope and a global statesman who stood for peace, unity, and the common good.” Recalling the Pope’s final public appearance during Easter Mass at the Vatican, Abbas noted that the pontiff’s call for peace across conflict-ridden regions remained a hallmark of his leadership. “From war-torn regions to forgotten corners of the world,” he said, “Pope Francis never ceased to raise his voice for justice, mercy, and reconciliation.” Citing tributes from Catholic platforms such as EWTN, Speaker Abbas acknowledged the Pope’s enduring legacies, including his focus on the poor and marginalised, his ecological advocacy through Laudato Si’, and his efforts to create a more inclusive and compassionate Church. “He changed the tone of the papacy — making it more pastoral, more human, more accessible.” “I join Christians, particularly the Catholic faithful across the world, to mourn the passing of this extraordinary leader, a unifier, and a peacemaker, who used his God-given gift of leadership to inspire faith, hope, and love,” Abbas stated. “Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has made transformative contributions to the Church and Christendom at large. He led an exemplary life marked by humility, simplicity, and an unwavering dedication to God and the welfare of humanity.” “As we grieve the loss of this holy man,” he added, “we remember his courageous voice, his tireless prayers for peace, his outreach to the world’s most vulnerable, and the moral clarity he brought to our troubled times. May his legacy continue to inspire leaders — religious and political alike — to pursue justice, compassion, and the common good.” Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936, Pope Francis was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969 and ascended to the papacy on March 13, 2013, following the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI — the first papal resignation in over 600 years. ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE