The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has come out to mourn the sad passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis. Speaking via its chairman, Rev. John Hayab, CAN said the Pope’s demise is a moment of great grief for Catholics and Christians across the globe, especially the Roman Catholic community in Northern Nigeria.
He revealed that Pope Francis was more than a spiritual leader because he did everything within his power to become a symbol of hope, peace and compassion amid all of the division in the world. According to John, the Pope’s reign definitely delivered applaudable progress and spiritual awakening among everyone who saw him as a leader.
Hayab said that the late Pope possessed a unique blend of humility, wisdom and empathy, and he will always be remembered for standing for the poor, speaking up for the oppressed, and continually reaching across religious divides to advocate for interfaith harmony to make the world a better place.
He disclosed that we should all learn from the deceased to speak out against systems that oppress or exclude, because only then can we do something tangible with our faith that can go as far as changing the world we all live in.
The CAN chairman concluded by saying Pope Francis’s influence was evident in Nigeria, especially in local parishes, missions, and schools, and his habit of living a life of faith while delivering teachings that cut across will never be forgotten.
Rev. John Hayab added that the Christian community in Northern Nigeria and Catholics across the globe will not forget how Pope Francis relentlessly promoted unity among Christians and between people of different faiths.
Also mourning the late Pope, Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has called the deceased a champion of the poor and a guiding light to millions. Speaking via a press statement he personally signed, BAT begged the entire world to celebrate the legacies he left behind and honour all of his words.
“Today, with a heavy heart, I join the Catholic faithful and Christians worldwide in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, a humble servant of God, tireless champion of the poor, and guiding light for millions. His passing, coming just after the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection, is a sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians.
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.
He was an instrument of peace who deeply embodied the message of Christ: love for God and love for humanity. In a time of division, he built bridges between faiths and the rich and the poor,” it read.
