CAN pays tribute to Pope Francis, commends his legacy of compassion, justice

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has sympathised with the Catholic Church on the death of Pope Francis and acknowledged his extraordinary leadership and boundless compassion.
CAN president, Daniel Okoh, said this in a statement in Abuja on Monday
Mr Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Catholic Church and the first from Latin America, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, at the age of 88 in his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta.
“On behalf of the national leadership of CAN and the entire Christian community in Nigeria, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Church and to all who held dear.
“Pope Francis was a towering figure of faith whose papacy radiated mercy, justice, and a profound love for humanity.
“His legacy left an indelible mark on Nigeria, where he strengthened the Church by appointing Nigerian bishops and cardinals, affirming the vibrant faith of our people.
“His unwavering commitment to interfaith dialogue brought hope for peace in our diverse nation, nurturing unity in the face of many challenges.
“His outspoken advocacy against poverty, corruption, and inequality deeply resonated with us, urging all to uphold the dignity of every Nigerian,” he said.
The CAN president noted that although Mr Francis never visited Nigeria, his pastoral journeys across Africa conveyed powerful messages of solidarity.
“His teachings in _Laudato Si’ and Amoris Laetitia_ enriched our spiritual lives, addressing vital issues such as environmental stewardship and the sanctity of family life.
“As we bid farewell to this devoted servant of God, we pray for the peaceful repose of his soul and for the Catholic Church in this time of transition.
“May the legacy of Pope Francis, rooted in compassion, justice, and humility, continue to inspire us as we strive towards a more united and righteous Nigeria.”
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Showbiz
Kanye West reveals engaging in sexual acts with six-year-old cousin
“My name is Ye and I sucked my cousins d**k till I was 14. Tweet sent.”

Faith
Pope Francis’ Successor: Africans, Asian, Europeans on list of potential candidates
Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, a Ghanaian, former head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. The 76-year-old cleric would be the first African to be a Catholic pope in centuries.

Faith
Cardinals to discuss pope’s funeral arrangements
The cardinals are to decide on the exact time of the burial of the late head of the Catholic Church, which usually takes place four to six days after death.

States
Concert: Christian leaders raise funds for victims of bandits’ violence
The convener said Christians in the North needed the empathy of their counterparts in the South.

States
FG satisfied with pace, quality of Sagamu-Iperu road rehabilitation
She noted that the project originally began around 2013 under a contract awarded to Reynolds Construction Company Ltd.

Politics
NNPP mourns Pope, celebrates Easter
The New Nigeria People’s Party has extended condolences to the Roman Catholic Church in Nigeria and globally on the death of Pope Francis.