• World leaders, Christian community, others quiver over Pontiff’s exit at 88

• Catholic Priests react, commend his emulatable era of Papacy

By Akinnodi Francis, Sade Adewale,Adeboye Ado

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As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, tributes have poured in from leaders and religious figures across the globe, describing his death on Easter day, at 88, as significant.

In Ondo State, Catholic Priests particularly described the late Pope Francis as a transformative leader who lived an impactful and selfless life—from his early priesthood to the heights of the papacy.

In separate interviews and statement made available to newsmen, they described his life as one of simplicity, humility, and unwavering commitment to the poor and marginalised.

In an interview with The Hope, .the Parish Priest of Christ the King Catholics Church, Alagbaka, Reverend Father’s Damien Adesegha. Adesegha said the Pope brought about significant reforms to the Church through his teachings, lifestyle, and deep compassion for the people—especially the poor and marginalized.

“Like every other Pope, he wrote many encyclicals addressing issues such as human life, the environment, human dignity, and poverty, with a special emphasis on concern for the marginalized,” he said.

Reacting to the Pope’s passing, Fr. Adesegha assured that there would be no leadership vacuum in the Church, as the Dean of the College of Cardinals would temporarily assume administrative duties until a new Pope is elected.

Fr. Adesegha emphasised the symbolically timing of the Pope’s death during the Easter season, highlighting the Church’s enduring belief in resurrection and eternal life through Christ.

Also speaking, the Director of Social Communications, Ondo Diocese, Rev. Fr. Iwu Augustine Ikwu, reflected on the profound impact of Pope Francis, describing his life as one of simplicity, humility, and unwavering commitment to the poor and marginalized.
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“From his early days as Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina to his historic papacy as the first Jesuit and first Latin American Pope, his life was a testament to service, dialogue, and mercy,” Fr. Ikwu said. “He embraced a Church that ‘goes forth,’ one that journeys with people in their joys and sufferings.”

Fr. Ikwu noted that Pope Francis made immense contributions to the life of the Church by reorienting its mission toward the peripheries, prioritizing pastoral care over judgment, and reigniting global awareness on issues such as climate change, migration, economic inequality, and human fraternity.

“His encyclicals Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti stand as enduring legacies of his global vision for a united human family. He also introduced synodality as a new way of being Church—one that listens, includes, and walks together,” he emphasized.

He described Pope Francis as a moral compass, a bridge-builder across religious and ideological divides, and a voice of conscience in turbulent times. “While we trust in the Holy Spirit to guide the Church forward, his unique style of leadership, courage to speak truth with love, and compassion for the brokenhearted will be deeply missed.”

Fr. Ikwu urged the faithful to remain united in faith and prayer. “Let us honor Pope Francis not only with our words but by living the Gospel as he taught us—through mercy, inclusion, simplicity, and love.”

“This is a time for the Church to draw strength from his legacy,” he concluded, “to continue on the synodal path, and to keep alive the fire of compassion and hope he lit. As we pray for the repose of his soul, may we also pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in choosing a worthy successor who will lead with wisdom and courage.”

Also, The priest overseeing St. Augustine Catholic Church, Reverend Father Ezekiel Ibikunle, has described the pope as a humble servant of God who dedicated his life to the Church and the service of humanity.

Fr. Ibikunle reflected on the life and legacy of Pope Francis, noting that his background and spiritual journey shaped him into a symbol of humility, peace, and compassion.

“Pope Francis was born in Argentina to Italian migrant parents. He grew up in a very humble environment but was deeply spiritual and dedicated to humanity,” he said.

According to Fr. Ibikunle, the late pope joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1958, where he studied humanities, philosophy, and theology, and was ordained a priest in 1969.

The pope’s unwavering dedication to the mission of the Church, he said, earned him steady promotion through the ranks from bishop to archbishop, then cardinal, and eventually pope.

*World leaders mourn, praise his legacy

World leaders remembered Pope Francis as “a beacon of compassion”, reacting with sadness after the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics died on Monday.

Here are some of the first reactions to the death of the 88-year-old pontiff:

“Champion of the poor, guiding light to millions”
President Tinubu –

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has mourned the death of Pope Francis, describing him as a champion of the poor and a guiding light to millions

Tinubu said Pope Francis served God and the Church till his death on Easter Monday at the age of 88.

In a statement he personally signed, Tinubu urged the world to celebrate Pope Francis’ legacies and honour his words.

He said: “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.

“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.

“In my 2025 Easter Message, I joined the Christian faithful in thanksgiving for the convalescing Pontiff. I was happy to watch his appearance to deliver the traditional Easter Sunday blessing in St. Peter’s Basilica.

“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.

“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.”

‘Stood for brotherly mankind’ – France

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”.

‘A great man has left us’ – Italy

“Pope Francis has returned to the Father’s home. It is deeply sad news because a great man has left us,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.

‘A beacon of compassion’ – India

“Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

“I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development.”

‘Strong ties’ – Israel

“He rightly saw great importance in fostering strong ties with the Jewish world and in advancing interfaith dialogue as a path toward greater understanding and mutual respect,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog said.

‘Distinguished papacy’ – Ireland

“Pope Francis’ long and distinguished papacy was marked by his unwavering commitment to the principles of compassion, peace and human dignity,” Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said, adding that he would be remembered for his “expression of pain and shame” about historic child abuse in the Catholic Church during his 2018 visit to Ireland.

‘Profound legacy’ – Spain

“I am sorry to hear of the death of Pope Francis. His commitment to peace, social justice and the most vulnerable leaves a profound legacy. Rest in peace,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said.

‘Indefatigable commitment’ – Germany

Incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed “great sorrow” and described Pope Francis as a man “guided by humility and faith”.
He said the Pontiff “will remain in our memories for his indefatigable commitment to the most vulnerable, for justice and for reconciliation”.

‘A faithful friend’ – Palestinian President

“Today, we lost a faithful friend of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights,” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said, noting that the Pope “recognised the Palestinian state and authorised the Palestinian flag to be raised in the Vatican”.

‘Love and compassion’ – Egypt

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said the death of Pope Francis “is a profound loss for the entire world, as he was a voice of peace, love and compassion”.

He added that the Pope “worked tirelessly to promote tolerance and build bridges of dialogue… and was a champion of the Palestinian cause, defending legitimate rights and calling for an end to conflict”.

‘Service to humanity’ – Ethiopia

“May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy of compassion, humility, and service to humanity continue to inspire generations to come,” Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said.

‘A loss for humanity’ – Lebanon

“We will never forget his repeated calls to protect Lebanon and preserve its identity and diversity,” Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said.

He called Pope Francis’s death “a loss for all humanity, for he was a powerful voice for justice and peace” who urged “dialogue between religions and cultures”.

‘Servant leadership’ – Kenya

“He exemplified servant leadership through his humility, his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice, and his deep compassion for the poor and the vulnerable,” Kenyan President William Ruto said.

“His strong ethical and moral convictions inspired millions across the world, regardless of faith or background.”