Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sadness over the death of Pope Francis, calling him a “humble servant of God” and a “guiding light for millions” around the world.
The Vatican announced on Easter Monday that Pope Francis had died at the age of 88.
His death came after a period of illness that had kept him hospitalised and mostly absent from Holy Week services, raising serious concerns about his health.
According to Vatican News, the Pope passed away peacefully at 7:35 a.m. in his residence at Casa Santa Marta, within the Vatican.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis had led the Roman Catholic Church since 2013, following the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Over the past year, his declining health — especially recurring respiratory problems — had led to multiple hospital visits and reduced public appearances, particularly during Lent and Easter.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell confirmed the news of his death in an official statement.
In a tribute released on Monday from the State House in Abuja, Tinubu joined Catholics and Christians around the world in mourning the Pope, who had delivered his traditional Easter Sunday blessing from St. Peter’s Basilica just a day before his passing.
“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,” he stated.
Recalling the Pope’s elevation in 2013, Tinubu lauded Francis for stepping onto the global stage with a message of mercy, inclusion, and justice.
“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 said.
Tinubu praised the late Pope for his commitment to bridging the gap between the rich and the poor, fostering unity among different religions, and promoting dialogue across political lines. He also commended the Pontiff for speaking out against economic injustice and advocating for the needs of developing nations.
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He said, “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.
“He 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.
“His encyclicals were not only doctrinal and seminal but also timely and relevant. Through his pastoral letters, the Pope offered spiritual clarity and hope in an increasingly complex world.
“He charted a path of renewal for all humanity through his words and deeds.”
Tinubu, who referenced the Pope’s Easter appearance during his 2025 Easter Message, expressed sorrow that the world had now lost its most trenchant voice for justice and action against climate change.
He said, “I was happy to watch his appearance to deliver the traditional Easter Sunday blessing in St. Peter’s Basilica.
“Alas, the Lord called him home a day after, making the world lose its most trenchant voice for justice and action against climate change.”
On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, Tinubu extended his condolences to the Vatican, the global Catholic community, and all Christian faithful.
“May the good Lord, whom he served with all his might, receive him into His eternal bosom,” the Nigerian leader said.
“As we mourn the late Pontiff, let us also celebrate his legacy. Let us honour him not with words alone but with action: by lifting those who are down, healing our communities, and defending the dignity of every person.”
Also, a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, mourned the Pontiff’s death.
In a statement on Monday, Atiku said, “It is with a heart heavy with sorrow that I extend my deepest condolences to the Holy See, the Catholic Church in Nigeria and across the world, and the entire Christian faithful on the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis.
“The departure of Pope Francis marks the end of an era defined by humility, moral courage, and an unwavering commitment to the service of humanity. He was a trailblazer who “dared to walk where no one has gone.” He was a shepherd of the most vulnerable and worked for a better and united world.
“Pope Francis was a Pontiff who walked among the people, whose voice echoed the cries of the poor and whose hands reached toward those cast aside by the world. His papacy was a bridge of compassion in a time of division, a balm of grace in a wounded world.”
Likewise, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, expressed his condolences over the Pope’s passing.
In his message, Obi stated that Pope Francis’ death signifies the close of a significant chapter in the spiritual and moral leadership of both the Catholic Church and the global community.
“Throughout his life and pontificate – during which I had the privilege of meeting him on three occasions – Pope Francis embodied the virtues of faith, hope, and compassion,” he said.
Obi, a Catholic faithful, noted, “As a member of the Scholas Occurrences Foundation, founded by Pope Francis, I deeply appreciate his belief in education, dialogue, and youth empowerment as vital instruments for building a more just and compassionate world.”
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