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Pope Francis’ Passing On “a colossal loss”, Catholic Archbishop in Nigeria Mourns, Says We’ve Lost “a moral compass”

Abah Anthony John

By Abah Anthony John

Abuja, 23 April, 2025 / 9:48 am (ACI Africa).

The late Pope Francis address moral and ethical issues authoritatively and his Easter Monday passing on signifies “a colossal loss”, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Nigeria’s Archdiocese of Abuja has said.

In an interview with ACI Africa on Tuesday, April 22, a day after the Holy Father passed on, Archbishop Kaigama described the late 88-year-old Pontiff as “a moral compass”.

“We have lost a very great leader, a world leader, a moral authority; I would say somebody who was a moral compass, because he spoke on moral issues and ethical issues,” he said.

The Nigerian Catholic Archbishop told ACI Africa that the passing on of Pope Francis “is a colossal loss.” For him, the world has “lost a father who was sensitive to everyone, rich or poor.”

“We need leaders like him. I hope his style of leadership influences leaders in Africa and around the world,” he said, and explained, “Pope Francis lived simply, like a true disciple. He avoided luxury. Even when he received expensive gifts, he gave them to the poor. He was a model of servant leadership, in the image of Jesus Christ.”

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Archbishop Kaigama eulogized the late Pope Francis as “a friend to Muslims, to Buddhists, Hindus. He had no boundaries; he had no barriers. Everybody mattered. Humanity, I would say, was his constituency. He identified with the poor and marginalized and downtrodden.”

The Local Ordinary of Abuja lauded late Pope Francis’ energy and dedication, saying, “In the last 12 years, he was always on duty. Whether in the Vatican or elsewhere, he was present. If there was a crisis in Ukraine, the Central African Republic (CAR), or South America, he was there. He wanted to identify with people wherever they were suffering.”

“He sent Cardinals to Ukraine, along with ambulances and food. He would have gone himself if it were possible. He was always reaching out,” the Local Ordinary of Abuja said.

Archbishop Kaigama recognized the late Pope’s inclusivity initiatives, including having women take up leadership roles in the Church.

“He gave women access to roles in the Church that were previously closed to them,” he observed.

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Archbishop Kaigama reflected on Pope Francis’ influence in Nigeria and the unique bond between the global Catholics and the Pontiff.

“The Pope is our father. He is the successor of St. Peter. There is no Catholic Church without the Pope. I was not appointed on my own; I was sent on a mission by the Pope,” he said.

The Catholic Church leader, who started his Episcopal Ministry in April 1995 as Bishop of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Jalingo noted that Pope Francis remained spiritually present in the lives of Catholics everywhere, despite never visiting Nigeria.

“We love the Pope. We love religion. The Pope promotes all that is good. Even though he did not visit Nigeria, we do not hold it against him. He had a vast territory to cover,” he said.

The Funeral Mass for the late Holy Father has been scheduled for Saturday, April 26 in St. Peter’s Square. He is to be laid to rest at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, as he explained in his testament.

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Kevin Joseph Cardinal Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy See’s Apostolic Chamber, who, in a video message, announced the passing on of the 88-year-old Pontiff, is leading the Vatican affairs and the Papal transition.

Vatican physician, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, has since confirmed that Pope Francis died from a stroke, coma, and irreversible cardiac arrest. He had been struggling with double pneumonia and a respiratory infection. He led the Catholic Church for a little more than 12 years.

In the April 22 interview with ACI Africa, Archbishop Kaigama called for prayers for the election of Pope Francis’ successor, saying, “We should ask God for a good and holy Pope who will promote fraternity and justice. The Holy Spirit will guide the choice.”

On the discourse around an African Pope, the 66-year-old Nigerian Catholic Archbishop acknowledged the growing diversity of the Church and the theoretical openness of the office.

“Any baptized Catholic can be chosen. In reality, it usually comes from among the Cardinals. And there are African Cardinals. So, it is possible,” Archbishop Kaigama said.

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However, he cautioned against reducing the process to a political question of race and origins. He said, “We are not praying for an African Pope, an American Pope, or a European Pope. We are praying for a Holy Pope. The Holy Spirit can act from anywhere.”

He emphasized unity within the Church, regardless of who is chosen, saying, “Whoever emerges, the 1.4 billion Catholics will embrace that person as the Holy Father.”

As the Church mourns, Archbishop Kaigama called for continued reflection on Pope Francis’ life and message. "Let us pray for the repose of his soul and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as the Church enters a new chapter."

Abah Anthony John

Abah Anthony John is a Nigerian Journalist with great enthusiasm and interest for Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria. He has vast experience in Print,  Electronic and Multi-Media Production.