Gladness Gideon
Former governor of Anambra State and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, joined global dignitaries at St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday to pay his final respects to His Holiness, Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025.
In a heartfelt message posted via his verified X account, Obi described the late pontiff as “a moral light in a world darkened by inequality and indifference,” reflecting on the Pope’s life of humility, compassion, and service to the poor and marginalised.
Obi, who was in Rome for the lying-in-state ceremony, recounted his personal encounters with Pope Francis, revealing that he had met the pontiff on three occasions — each of which, he said, left him deeply moved by the Pope’s peaceful presence and unwavering moral clarity.
“Pope Francis was more than a Pontiff; he embodied leadership rooted in truth, humility, and the courage to speak for the voiceless,” Obi wrote. “He reminded us all that leadership must be about lifting others, not self-exaltation.”
He further disclosed that he had been appointed a member of Scholars Occultantes, an international circle of thinkers founded by Pope Francis during his tenure as Archbishop. The group, focused on ethical leadership, social transformation, and intellectual engagement, gave Obi a unique window into the depth of the Pope’s vision and teachings.
While reflecting on the Pope’s impact on the global stage, Obi also used the opportunity to call on leaders — particularly across Africa — to emulate the late pontiff’s values of justice, peace, and human dignity.
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“As we mourn this great soul, let this not just be a moment of grief, but a call to lead with conscience, walk with the people, and govern with love,” he urged.
Pope Francis, the first Jesuit Pope and the first from Latin America, is remembered for his tireless advocacy for the poor, his environmental leadership, and his push for reform within the Catholic Church. His death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from around the world, with many lauding his ability to bridge faith, intellect, and social action.
Obi’s emotional tribute added a deeply personal African perspective to the global mourning, serving as a poignant reminder of the Pope’s far-reaching influence beyond the Vatican walls.
“May Pope Francis’ soul rest in perfect peace, and may his legacy live on in all who seek to serve humanity selflessly,” Obi concluded.