By Seyi Odewale and Cross Udo, with agency reports
In a deeply symbolic and emotionally charged turn of events, the Catholic world is mourning the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis, who died peacefully early yesterday at the age of 88 after battling complications from a stroke and heart failure.
The timing of his death—falling a day after Easter Sunday, the very day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ—has stirred hearts and sparked reflections on the mystery of faith, life, and divine timing.
The Vatican confirmed the Pontiff’s passing yesterday morning, sending ripples of sorrow through St. Peter’s Square and far beyond.
Bells tolled solemnly as worshippers gathered in impromptu vigils, clutching rosaries and whispering prayers for the soul of the man many revered not only as the spiritual leader of over 1.3 billion Catholics but as a moral compass in turbulent times.
Plateau killings provoke protest march
•Mutfwang convenes stakeholders’ parley
By Patience Aliyu
Plateau Governor, Caleb Mutfwang yesterday convened a meeting with critical stakeholders over the recent killings in the state.
Speaking at the event, Mutfwang said that the meeting aimed at fashioning out ways of tackling the recurrent attacks and wanton destruction of properties in the state.
The governor, who said that the security challenges in the state had spanned for over two decades, explained that the meeting also aimed at uniting critical stakeholders towards ending the menace.
Mutfwang, who decried that insecurity had posed serious threat to the economic posepsrity of Plateau, however, commended President Bola Tinubu for the measures put in place to tackle the security challenges in the state.
“Right from the time the Jos market was burnt to this point, you will discover that even food production in Plateau has been on the decline.
“Recently, we took stock of farmlands which our people have not been able to cultivate, because attempting to cultivate those farmlands is at the risk of their lives.
“There is no part of this state that does not have its share of insecurity; so, we must come together as a people to address this issue.
“This is why we called all of you here so we can rob minds and find lasting solution to the security challenges in our dear state,” he said.
The governor called on the stakeholders to be opened and make positive suggestions that would lead to lasting peace in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting, which later went into closed doors, had former governors of the state, Fidelis Tapgun, Joshua Dariye, Jonah Jang, and retired Rear Admiral Bitrus Atukum in attendance.
Others stakeholders who attended the meeting were serving and former sanators, members of the House Representatives, traditional and religious leaders, government officials, youth and women groups, among others. (NAN)
*Trump, Tinubu, world leaders, Catholic Church, Christians, others mourn
Meanwhile, tributes across the globe have begun pouring in to eulogise the departed Pope.
One such example was President Donald Trump of the United States, who said in a statement hours after the Vatican declared the news, “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis! May God bless him and all who loved him,” he wrote on his social media platform.
Another came from Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, who wrote on social media that the late Pope Francis “prayed for peace in Ukraine and for the Ukrainian people,” and “we grieve together with Catholics and all Christians.”
His Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, described the Pope as a “wise” religious leader, a “statesman,” and a “consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice” who “actively promotes dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.”
Also, the United Kingdom Prime Minister, Keith Starmer, said, “His leadership in a complex and challenging time for the world and the church was courageous, yet always came from a place of deep humility.”
The King of England, King Charles, added, “Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.”
Other European leaders paid their tributes. French President Emmanuel Macron said the Pope had always been “on the side of the most vulnerable and the most fragile” and that he stood for “brotherly humankind”;
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said, “Pope Francis has returned to the Father’s home. It is unfortunate news because a great man has left us.”
His Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez, said he was sorry to hear the news of Pope Francis’s death, adding, “His commitment to peace, social justice, and the most vulnerable leaves a profound legacy.”
The incoming German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, was not left out. He expressed “great sorrow” and described Pope Francis as “guided by humility and faith”.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also paid glowing tribute, saying, “He rightly saw great importance in fostering strong ties with the Jewish world and in advancing interfaith dialogue as a path towards greater understanding and mutual respect.”
His Palestinian counterpart, Mahmud Abbas, said: “Today, we lost a faithful friend of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights.” He noted that the pope “recognised the Palestinian state and authorised the Palestinian flag to be raised in the Vatican”.
The Egyptian leader, Fattah al-Sisi, also said the death of Pope Francis “is a profound loss for the entire world, as he was a voice of peace, love and compassion”.
Coming home to Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also registered his tribute to the late Pope, describing him as a ‘tireless champion of the poor.’
In a statement he signed, President Tinubu described the late Pope Francis as a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.
According to him, the Pope’s passing, coming just after the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection, typified a sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians.
He said, “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,” Tinubu added.
He said the late Pope 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 doctrinal and seminal but timely and relevant. The Pope offered spiritual clarity and hope in an increasingly complex world through his pastoral letters. He charted a path of renewal for all humanity through his words and deeds,” he added.
In his Easter message, Tinubu joined the Christian faithful in giving thanks for the convalescing Pontiff. “I was happy to watch his appearance to deliver the traditional Easter Sunday blessing in St. Peter’s Basilica,” he said.
But in another breath, he said: “Alas, the Lord called him home a day after, making the world lose its most trenchant voice for justice and action against climate change. May the good Lord, whom he served with all his might, receive him into His eternal bosom.
“As we mourn the late Pontiff, let us 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.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Nigeria, I extend condolences to the Catholic Church, the global Catholic community, and the Christian faithful,” Tinubu said.
Also, Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, described the late Pope Francis as a moral compass in a troubled world.
In a condolence message posted on his X handle, he expressed his deep sorrow over the Pontiff’s passing.
According to Obi, Pope Francis’s death marked the end of a significant era in the spiritual and moral leadership of the Catholic Church and the broader global community.
He reflected on his encounters with the late Pope, saying, “Throughout his life and pontificate, during which I had the privilege of meeting him on three occasions, he embodied the virtues of faith, hope, and compassion. He led with humility, spoke with wisdom, and acted with moral courage.”
Obi lauded the Pope’s commitment to the poor, his advocacy for justice and human dignity, and his unrelenting call for peace and unity in an increasingly fragmented world.
“His deep concern for the poor, steadfast advocacy for moral leadership, and his defence of human dignity earned him the admiration of people across all faiths and nations.
“Pope Francis devoted his life to the service of God and humanity. 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,” Obi said.
Also, while mourning the Pope’s passing, the Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, described the Pontiff as a globally respected icon of faith, humility and compassion.
Soludo, in a condolence message yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime, described the late Pope Francis as a shepherd whose legacy transcended borders.
He extended his condolences to the Catholic Church in Anambra, Nigeria, the Vatican and the global Christian community, saying the loss of Pope Francis, a globally respected icon of faith, humility and compassion, had indeed grieved the hearts of Catholics and all humanity.
He said: “The Pope’s lifelong dedication to championing the cause of the poor, fostering inter-faith unity and advocating for peace and justice has left the world a better place.
“His teachings on love, mercy and solidarity touched base with the people of Anambra, inspiring the government to build a society rooted in dignity and hope.
“Indeed, the Holy Father’s passing on Easter Monday, a day symbolising Christ’s triumph over death, is deeply instructive and a reflection on the enduring power of resurrection and hope.”
“I, therefore, stand in solidarity with the global Catholic community during this mourning period, celebrating a life extraordinarily lived in service to God and humanity,” he added, praying for Pope Francis’s soul’s repose.
‘Ascends’ on Christ’s resurrection
Elected to the papacy in a time of global uncertainty, the late Pope was known for his humility, theological depth, and unwavering commitment to social justice, interfaith dialogue, and peace.
His tenure saw landmark reforms in Church governance, outreach to the marginalised, and a bold embrace of modern issues while holding firm to ancient truths.
Though frail in recent years, his spiritual vigour remained untouched. His public appearances were marked by visible physical struggle but immense grace.
It was no secret that the Pope had been ailing. His last few months were marked by recurring hospital stays, reduced public engagements, and a visibly declining frame.
Yet, in each appearance, he clung to his mission with quiet dignity and unshakable faith. Even in his final message, delivered by a senior Vatican official just days before his death, he called on the faithful to “walk in hope, for Christ has risen and so shall we.”
Now, as the Catholic Church prepares for a period of mourning and transition, many are struck by the poetic resonance of his “ascent” on the day Christ is said to have conquered death. For many, this is more than coincidence—it’s providence.
The faithful see it as a celestial nod to a well-lived life and a legacy etched in Vatican walls and hearts across continents.
Plans are already underway for a week-long mourning period, culminating in a grand funeral mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. World leaders, religious figures, and throngs of pilgrims are expected to pay their final respects to a man whose life and death now stand framed by Easter’s eternal promise: resurrection, renewal, and peace.
Indeed, as one mourner whispered at the foot of the Basilica, eyes filled with tears, “He did not just die. He rose.”
Born on December 17, 1936, he was the first head of the Catholic Church who came from the Jesuit Order.
