The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite and the Board of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC commiserated with the Catholic faithful and Christians worldwide on the passing away of Pope Francis, whose demise was announced by the Vatican authority at 7:35 am on Easter Monday.
The NCPC boss expressed shock and surprise at the death of Pope Francis, who was visibly present at St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday. According to him, “Pope Francis lived a life of humanity, love, and humility.” He further described the Pontiff as “a compassionate and universal leader, a peacemaker, and a voice for the voiceless.”
The Executive Secretary and the Board of the Commission also extended their commiseration to the Chairman of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, RT Rev Prof Mgr Cletus Gotan, who himself is a Monsignor in the universal Church, for the death of Pope Francis.
The NCPC boss said Nigerian Christian pilgrims will greatly miss the Papal audience Pope Francis usually granted to pilgrims and visitors on Wednesdays during pilgrimages to Rome. “He was always waiting, eager, and cheerful to receive us in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City,” he said.
He emphasized that Pope Francis was not just a leader of the Catholic Church but a universal leader for all Christians and non-Christians alike. He urged Catholics, Christians, and leaders worldwide to emulate the virtues of Pope Francis, who dedicated his life to serving the Lord and identifying with the poor throughout his apostolic work as the head of the Catholic Church.
As the first Latin American from Argentina to ascend to the seat of the Holy See, Pope Francis has proven that the service of God knows no boundaries. Bishop Adegbite prayed that the soul of Pope Francis and the souls of other faithful departed rest in perfect peace with the Lord.
