“What Pope Francis Taught the World”: Peter Obi Attends Lying-In-State Ceremony Of Late Pontiff

Legit.ng journalist, Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues

Vatican City, Italy - The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in 2023, Peter Obi, said Pope Francis was a moral light in a world darkened by inequality and indifference.

Obi said Pope Francis’ life was a testament of his compassion, truth, and service to the poor and marginalised.

He stated this in a post shared via his X handle @PeterObi, on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

“Pope Francis was more than a Pontiff; he was a moral light in a world darkened by inequality and indifference. His life was a testament to leadership as a sacred duty, one rooted in compassion, truth, and service to the poor and marginalised. He lived for others, spoke for the voiceless, and reminded us all that leadership must be about lifting others, not self-exaltation.”

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“I came to truly appreciate what he stood for after my appointment as a member of Scholars Occultantes - an international circle of thinkers he founded during his time as Archbishop. The organisation, dedicated to truth, ethical leadership, and social transformation, gave me a deeper insight into the intellectual and moral force behind his teachings.”

Obi said he was blessed to Pope Francis on three occasions during his lifetime.

“I was blessed to meet Pope Francis on three occasions. Each encounter left a lasting impression. He radiated peace and inspired faith, and his presence was a quiet yet powerful reminder of the divine responsibility that leadership entails. His humility was infectious, his vision deeply human.”

18 Africans among Cardinals to elect new Pope

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that there are 252 cardinals, but only 135 cardinals have voting status and are eligible to vote for the next Pope when the conclave begins.

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How Pope Francis confronted tribalism in Nigeria’s Catholic Church, by Johnstone Kpilaakaa

18 of the 135 cardinals eligible to vote and elect a new pontiff to replace Pope Francis are from the Africa continent.

Legit.ng recalls that Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025 at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta within Vatican City.

Pope Francis: 4 Major Actions Catholic church Will take next

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the Catholic church is to take four major actions following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025.

The four major actions are - the Camerlengo, Pope Francis' body displayed in open coffin/funeral, the Conclave and the introduction of new pontiff.

This article explained in details what each action/step entail and their meaning in the Catholic church.

Source: Legit.ng