President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has joined millions around the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, describing the late pontiff as a “humble servant of God” and a “guiding light for millions.”
In an official statement from the State House on Monday, President Tinubu paid glowing tribute to the spiritual leader, praising his lifelong dedication to mercy, justice, and peace. The President noted the symbolic timing of the Pope’s passing, which came just a day after Easter Sunday, calling it “a sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians.”
Pope Francis, who ascended to the papacy in 2013, was widely admired for his outspoken advocacy for the poor, migrants, and the marginalized, as well as his strong stance on climate change and social justice. President Tinubu reflected on the pontiff’s global influence, stating, “He was an instrument of peace who deeply embodied the message of Christ: love for God and love for humanity.”
The Nigerian leader lauded the Pope’s tireless efforts to build bridges across faiths and socio-economic divides, and his unwavering support for the developing world. He highlighted Pope Francis’s powerful encyclicals and pastoral letters, describing them as “seminal, timely, and relevant,” offering clarity and hope in an increasingly complex global landscape.
President Tinubu recalled his Easter message earlier this month in which he joined the Christian faithful in praying for the ailing Pontiff and rejoiced at his public appearance during the Easter Sunday blessing in Rome. “Alas, the Lord called him home a day after,” he lamented.
Describing Pope Francis as “the world’s most trenchant voice for justice and action against climate change,” the President urged people to honour the Pope’s memory not only through mourning but by emulating his values—lifting the vulnerable, healing communities, and defending human dignity.
“May the good Lord, whom he served with all his might, receive him into His eternal bosom,” President Tinubu said, extending condolences on behalf of the Nigerian government and its people to the global Catholic community.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first Jesuit Pope and the first from the Global South. His death marks the end of an era defined by humility, reform, and a deep commitment to humanity’s shared future.
