Two of Nigeria’s most prominent political figures, Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, have joined millions of Catholics and world leaders in mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88. The revered head of the Roman Catholic Church died just a day after making a surprise appearance during the Easter Sunday Mass at Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City.
In heartfelt tributes, both Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Atiku, former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard-bearer, praised Pope Francis for his unwavering commitment to humanity, peace, and social justice.
Obi, in a statement released on Monday, described Pope Francis as “a moral compass in a troubled world,” whose leadership exemplified the highest ideals of faith, humility, and service. He emphasized the late pontiff’s global influence and enduring legacy as a champion of the poor and marginalized.
“I received with profound sorrow the news of the passing of the Holy Father, Pope Francis. His death marks the end of another era in the spiritual and moral leadership of the Catholic Church and the wider world,” Obi stated.
He noted that the Pope led with grace, simplicity, and courage, and consistently preached compassion, justice, and hope in times of global turmoil. Obi also recalled his personal encounters with Pope Francis, having met him on three occasions, and lauded the Pope’s devotion to youth empowerment through the Scholas Occurrentes Foundation, which he founded to promote education and dialogue across cultures.
“His legacy will live on not only in the hearts of the faithful but also in the global conscience he helped shape with grace, clarity, and conviction. On behalf of myself, my family, and millions of Nigerians who found inspiration in his teachings and example, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the universal Church,” Obi said.
Atiku Abubakar also expressed sorrow over the pontiff’s passing, describing it as a monumental loss for the global Christian community and for all who value peace and social justice. He noted that Pope Francis’s death came on the heels of Easter Sunday, symbolizing what he called “a divine punctuation on a sacred Christian day.”
“It is with a heart heavy with sorrow that I extend my deepest condolences on the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis,” Atiku said. “His papacy was a bridge of compassion in a time of division, a balm of grace in a wounded world.”
Atiku remembered Pope Francis as a leader who not only ministered from the pulpit but walked among the people, advocating tirelessly for the poor, the oppressed, and the forgotten. “He was a Pontiff whose voice echoed the cries of the downtrodden and whose hands reached toward those cast aside by the world,” he added.
The late Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church in March 2013. He was the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit pope, and the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years. His papacy was marked by a focus on inclusivity, climate change advocacy, interfaith dialogue, and reform within the Church.
He garnered global admiration for his modest lifestyle, declining the opulent papal apartments in favor of a modest guesthouse, and urging clergy to be “shepherds living with the smell of their sheep.” Pope Francis’s compassion also extended to controversial issues—he advocated for the humane treatment of migrants and refugees, called for action against climate change, and encouraged a more welcoming Church for LGBTQ+ individuals.
As the world awaits the election of a new pope, tributes continue to pour in from religious leaders, presidents, and international organizations. The Vatican has announced that preparations are underway for the late pope’s funeral, expected to draw millions from around the globe.
For many, including Nigerians across faiths and backgrounds, Pope Francis was more than a religious leader—he was a symbol of hope and a reminder that moral clarity and compassion still have a place in today’s complex world.