Atiku Mourns the Passing of Pope Francis: A Shepherd of the Vulnerable
Atiku Expresses Sorrow over Pope Francis' Passing
According to our website, the former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed his grief over the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88. In a heartfelt condolence message, Atiku described Pope Francis' era as one marked by humility, moral courage, and an unwavering commitment to the service of humanity.
On Monday, Atiku wrote, "It is with a heavy heart that I extend my deepest condolences to the Holy See, the Catholic Church in Nigeria and across the world, and the entire Christian faithful on the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis." He went on to praise Pope Francis as a trailblazer who regularly put the needs of the vulnerable first and worked towards a better and united world.
Atiku wrote, "Pope Francis was a Pontiff 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." The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) also expressed hope that the memory of Pope Francis would continue to inspire unity, compassion, and peace among all.
As detailed in the Vatican's release of Pope Francis' final wishes, the Pope wished to be buried in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, a place of personal spiritual significance for him where he regularly prayed at the beginning and end of each of his Apostolic Journeys. Pope Francis specifically asked for his tomb to be prepared in a burial niche in the side aisle of the Basilica, between the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel.
In his testament, Pope Francis also conveyed a spiritual message, asking that the suffering he endured in the final part of his life be offered to the Lord for peace in the world and fraternity among peoples. With hope, Pope Francis expressed his wish that the Lord would reward those who loved him and continue to pray for him.
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- Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria, has also shown interest in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a party he was a presidential candidate for.
- The cardiovascular health of Pope Francis was a concern in his final days, leading to a link between his death and a stroke, coma, and cardiovascular collapse.
- As the Church mourns the loss of Pope Francis, general-news outlets in Nigeria ('naija') discuss the potential impact on the nation's political landscape.
- Amidst nationwide insecurity, a critic named Onoh has accused Atiku of ignoring the issue, stating, "This is a major reason you can never rule Nigeria."
- In a time when unity is needed, the memory of Pope Francis, who outreached to the vulnerable, is hoped to inspire compassion and peace among all.
- In addition to being a shepherd to the vulnerable and a trailblazer for the Christian faith, Pope Francis also had a passion for football and has been honored with a Champions League trophy by his favorite team, AS Roma.
