Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis, describing the pontiff as a “moral compass in a troubled world.”
In a moving tribute shared via his official X handle, the former governor of Anambra State said the death of Pope Francis marks the end of a significant era in the spiritual and moral leadership of not only the Catholic Church but also the wider global community.
While reflecting on his personal encounters with the late Pope, Obi said, “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 led with humility, spoke with wisdom, and acted with moral courage.”
Obi commended 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, his steadfast advocacy for moral leadership, and his defence of human dignity earned him the admiration of people across all faiths and nations,” he noted.
As a member of the Scholas Occurrentes Foundation – a global initiative founded by Pope Francis to promote education, dialogue, and youth empowerment – Obi highlighted the Pope’s legacy in encouraging a more compassionate and just society through the instrumentality of education and moral guidance.
“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,” he said.
Obi extended his condolences to the Universal Church on behalf of himself, his family, and millions of Nigerians inspired by the Pope’s life and teachings. He prayed for the eternal repose of the Pope’s soul and for divine guidance upon the Church he shepherded with love and humility.
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