By John Ogunsemore
The 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has said late Pope Francis was a moral compass in a troubled world.
Obi, who is Catholic, said this in a statement mourning the demise of the 88-year-old Head of the Roman Catholic Church on Monday.
He said, “I received with profound sorrow the news of the passing of the Holy Father, Pope Francis. His death marks the end of another era in the spiritual and moral leadership of the Catholic Church and the wider world.
“Throughout his life and pontificate – during which I had the privilege of meeting him on three occasions – Pope Francis embodied the virtues of faith, hope, and compassion. He led with humility, spoke with wisdom, and acted with moral courage.
“He constantly strove to draw humanity closer to the ideals of peace, justice, and love. His deep concern for the poor, his steadfast advocacy for moral leadership, and his defence of human dignity earned him the admiration of people across all faiths and nations.”
He added, “As a member of the Scholas Occurrences Foundation, founded by Pope Francis, I deeply appreciate his belief in education, dialogue, and youth empowerment as vital instruments for building a more just and compassionate world.”
The former Anambra governor said Pope Francis noted that Pope Francis devoted his life to the service of God and humanity and his legacy would live on not only in the hearts of the faithful but also in the global conscience he helped shape with grace, clarity, and conviction.
“In an age marked by division and uncertainty, his voice remained a steady call to unity, mercy, and justice,” Obi further stated.