President Muhammadu Buhari on behalf of Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, commiserates with Pope Francis, the Catholic Church in Nigeria and around the world, as well as all Christian faithful who mourn the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
The President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, paid tribute to Benedict XVI who was greatly admired globally for his selfless leadership, renowned learning as a theologian, and dedication to advance inter-faith dialogue and peace.
According to the statement, “President Buhari believes that the late Pontiff will be remembered as a true servant of God who used the benevolent gifts of the Almighty upon his life to serve the Church and humanity in humility, reverence and piety, living in word and deed the virtues of a true Christian disciple.”
Similarly, His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus, Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, has extolled the virtues of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, describing his death as a gain to Heaven.
Onaiyekan who made this remarks, while reacting to the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Saturday in an interview with Newsmen in Ibadan said “We thank God for his life; I know him personally, he was very kind to me, always fond of me, he made me and made me a cardinal.
“We don’t feel pity over his demise because he lived for God and his Church; so, I ‘m completely optimistic that he has just moved gently, gently into paradise.
Also, the Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, said that Pope Emeritus Benedict had gratefully returned to God.
Badejo said he was a Pope that respected the reality of history and engaged fruitfully with the Church, especially the West to emphasise on the liaison between faith and reason.
“He was not shy to respect the reality of history when he courageously retired a few years ago, because as he said, his energy and mind could no longer carry that responsibility.
“He, however, remained at the device of his beloved Church till the end as he said, by his prayers and presence.,” Badejo said.
