NCPC Commiserates with Catholic Faithful On Demise of Pope Francis

By Chinedu Echianu

The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite and Board of the Commission has commiserated with Catholic faithful and Christians worldwide on the passing of Pope Francis, whose demise was announced by the Vatican at 7:35 am on Easter Monday.

In a statement signed by Celestine Toruka, Deputy Director and Head, Media and Public Relations NCPC on Monday, Bishop Adegbite expressed shock and surprise at the death of Pope Francis, who was 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 Cletus Gotan, who himself is a Monsignor in the universal Church, on the death of Pope Francis.

The NCPC boss said Nigerian Christian pilgrims will greatly miss the Papal audience Pope Francis usually granted 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, urging 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.

According to Bishop Adegbite, Pope Francis is the first Latin American from Argentina to ascend to the seat of the Holy See and has proven that the service of God knows no boundaries. He prayed that the soul of Pope Francis and the souls of other faithful departed rest in perfect peace with the Lord.