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Diplomats in Nigeria Eulogize Pope Francis as “a leader for truth, peace, equality”

Members of the diplomatic corps in Nigeria have paid glowing tribute to Pope Francis, who was laid to rest on April 26, describing the late Pontiff as a global beacon of peace, truth, humility, and justice.

Diplomats, who spoke to ACI Africa on the sidelines of a Memorial Mass in honour of the late Pope Francis, hailed the late Pontiff for paying special attention to the poor.

“Words will fail me on this one. He was a wonderful human being, a leader for truth, for peace, for equality, for solidarity, for unity, and for love,” the Honorary Consul of Colombia to Nigeria, Maricel Romero, told ACI Africa following the Tuesday, April 29 Eucharistic celebration.

For the Colombian diplomat in Nigeria and ECOWAS, the late Pope Francis “achieved quite a lot ... He was an embodiment of humility; he was selfless; he served with marked distinction.”

“He was a bridge builder who travelled from country to country, advancing not just the word of God, but also bringing people together. It is quite a big loss. There are very few people who can exhibit the qualities of this fine man of God and remain humble,” Mrs. Romero said.

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Also speaking to ACI Africa, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Gautier Mignot, described the late Pontiff as an exceptional leader, who embodied values rarely seen in modern times. 

“He was a very inspiring leader. There are very few like him in a century. He gave priority to humanity, to the most humble, the most vulnerable, and the poorest,” Mr.  Mignot said.

He highlighted the late Pope Francis’ dedication to environmental stewardship as impactful, saying, “He raised awareness about the necessity to preserve our planet, our environment, our Mother Earth. That was his teaching, and it was inspiring to me.”

On peace across the globe, Mr. Mignot expressed concern that despite Pope Francis’ constant call for peace, many global leaders ignored his message. 

“We all have to echo this message and tell aggressors that they must stop their aggression. Unfortunately, some leaders do not listen, and wars continue,” the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS lamented.

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The EU diplomat said that he was hopeful that Pope Francis’ message will continue to influence future generations and that his successor will uphold the same values. 

“I think the message of Pope Francis will still resonate for many years to come. And hopefully, his successor will take over and continue raising the Church's voice for global peace and environmental consciousness,” Mr. Mignot told ACI Africa on April 29.

On his part, Honourable Otis Anyaeji, a member of the Knight of St. Gregory the Great and Provincial President of the Association of Papal Knights and Medallists in Nigeria’s Abuja Province, offered a spiritual reflection on the late Pontiff’s passing on.

“It is really with mixed feelings that we are here in honour of the late Pope Francis. Sadness because we are missing him, but joy because of what his life represented to us,” Hon. Anyeji told ACI Africa.

The late Pope Francis, he went on to say, “was someone who told the truth no matter the audience. He reminded world leaders that real power is not in material wealth but in wisdom and moral strength. He had no estates or industries, yet world powers bowed to his wisdom and counsel.”

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The late Pope Francis, who passed on Easter Monday, April 21 aged 88 was laid to rest on April 26 in his “belovedPapal Basilica of St. Mary Major as he explained in his testament.

The late Pontiff had suffered a stroke that was followed by a coma and an irreversible cardiovascular collapse. He had been struggling with double pneumonia and a respiratory infection.

On April 28, the College of Cardinals announced that the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor will begin on May 7, setting the final preparatory phase the 267th Catholic Pontiff.

18 Cardinals from Africa are among the 135 Cardinal Electors, who might eventually be less with the news that two of them, including Kenya’s 79-year-old John Cardinal Njue, will not be participating in the Conclave for health-related reasons.

Abah Anthony John is a Nigerian Catholic journalist with passion for Church communication and media apostolate. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Benue State University, Makurdi in Benue State Nigeria. He has a background in print, electronic and multi-media production.