By Laide Akinboade and Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has joined other world leaders to pay tribute to the late Head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, who died yesterday at the age of 88.The Pope died on Easter Monday at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.

In a statement he personally signed, Tinubu described the deceased as “a humble servant of God, tireless champion of the poor and guiding light for millions. ”The president said the passing of the Catholic head after the celebration of Christ’s resurrection is a sacred return to his maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians.He said the 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.“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.“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 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,” the statement read.In his tribute, former President of the United States, Barack Obama said “Pope Francis was the rare leader who made us want to be better people. In his humility and his gestures at once simple and profound – embracing the sick, ministering to the homeless, washing the feet of young prisoners – he shook us out of our complacency and reminded us that we are all bound by moral obligations to God and one another.“Today, Michelle and I mourn with everyone around the world – Catholic and non-Catholic alike – who drew strength and inspiration from the Pope’s example. May we continue to heed his call to “never remain on the sidelines of this march of living hope,” he saidAtiku Condoles Catholic, Christians over Pope Francis DeathFormer Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has condoled the Catholic Church in Nigeria and worldwide on the death of Pope Francis.Atiku said the departure of Pope Francis marked the end of an era defined by humility, moral courage, and an unwavering commitment to the service of humanity, saying that the late Pope 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.”According to Atiku, Pope Francis was a Pontif 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.CAN Mourns, Calls Him Champion of MercyThe Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Monday joined the rest of the world to mourn the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, who departed this life at the age of 88.This was contained in a statement by the CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh in Abuja.The CAN boss who spoke on behalf of the national leadership of CAN and the entire Christian community in Nigeria, he expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Church and to all who held dear his extraordinary leadership and boundless compassion.Okoh noted that Pope Francis was a towering figure of faith whose papacy radiated mercy, justice and a profound love for humanity.