Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church through one of its most reformative and socially conscious eras, died peacefully in the Vatican. His 12-year papacy was marked by: Historic Firsts: He was the first pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit to assume the papacy. Progressive Agenda: Francis pushed for inclusivity within the Church—on […]
By Tunde Opalana Former vice president of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has described the late head of the Vatican, Pope Francis as a compassionate priest who shepherd the most vulnerable in the society. In a personally signed statement on Monday, Atiku extended deepest condolences to the Holy See, the Catholic Church in Nigeria and across […]
Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and a transformative figure in modern Church history, has died. He passed away at 7:35 a.m. on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed his death in a brief statement, noting that the Holy Father “passed peacefully” in his […]
By Dooyum Naadzenga The Vatican City yesterday announced that Pope Francis has approved a new three-year initiative aimed at considering reforms for the global Catholic Church, signaling his intention to continue his papacy despite ongoing health issues, Reuters reports that the Pope’s health issues include a battle with double pneumonia. The pope has decided to […]
Pope Francis has developed pneumonia in both his lungs and his condition remains “complex”, the Vatican says. The 88-year-old has been suffering from a respiratory infection for more than a week and was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday. “The follow-up chest CT scan which the Holy Father underwent this afternoon… demonstrated the onset […]
The head of the Catholic Church worldwide, Pope Francis, has revealed that he escaped two attempts on his life during his historic trip to Iraq in March 2021. This is according to excerpts from the cleric’s autobiography, published on Tuesday in Italy. The book reveals that the British Secret Service gave an urgent warning to […]
Pope Francis has celebrated one of his biggest Masses, with around a million attendees in Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital, estimates say. Huge crowds started to gather in Kinshasa well before dawn, including scores of schoolgirls dressed in white who danced along the Pope’s route. A public holiday was declared, so as many people as […]
By BENJAMIN OMOIKE Pope Francis has lamented Sunday’s terrorist attack on St. Francis Xavier Church in Owo, Ondo State, where the gunmen killed dozens and injured many others. Pope offered his condolences to the victims of a terror attack and sent his prayer through Matteo Bruni, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, on […]
Pope Francis on Monday assured President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration of his readiness to help Nigeria end the security challenges in the country. The Pope who stated this when he received a letter of credence from the Nigerian Ambassador to the Holy See, Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu, said he is committed to seeing the security crisis […]
Pope Francis said on Wednesday he is going to Iraq, where his predecessor John Paul was not allowed to go in 2000, because “the people cannot be let down for a second time.” Speaking at the end of his general audience, Francis, who is due to start the risky trip in Baghdad on Friday, asked […]
Pope Francis has joined bishops in Nigeria in seeking the release of 317 schoolgirls abducted in northwest Nigeria on Feb. 26. At the Sunday Angelus on Feb. 28, the pope condemned the “vile kidnapping of 317 girls” in Zamfara state and urged the faithful to pray for their safe return home. “I am near to […]
By Kingsley Chukwuka It is commendable that since the outbreak of incessant attacks in Southern Kaduna, Pope Francis has fervently prayed for Southern Kaduna, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Yakubu Pam has said. READ ALSO: “I will not give Southern Kaduna leaders brown envelope” – El-Rufai Rev. Pam stated […]
Pope Francis stepped up his battle against corruption in the Vatican Monday with a new law aimed at boosting transparency in tenders and cutting costs as a post-coronavirus recession hits. Convicted mobsters and those guilty of tax fraud are among a list of undesirables now unable to pocket contracts. The Argentine pontiff was elected in […]
Saint Peter’s Basilica throws its doors open to visitors on Monday, marking a relative return to normality at the Vatican and beyond in Italy, where most business activity is set to resume. Public masses also resume throughout the predominantly Catholic country after a two-month hiatus, while restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and hairdressers, among other businesses, […]
Pope Francis on Tuesday urged people to obey rules aimed at preventing a devastating second wave of infections as their leaders begin to ease coronavirus lockdowns. Francis spoke at the start of his daily private morning Mass, where he has been dedicating brief opening comments to various themes related to coronavirus. From Europe to the […]
.As Christians mark low key Easter in Nigeria .Coronavirus, a blessing in disguise – Catholic bishops As Christians all over the world celebrated Easter, the resurrection of Christ on Sunday, Pope Francis has said that the Coronavirus pandemic is a test to humanity. Addressing an empty church in his message to mark the Easter celebrations […]
Pope Francis on Sunday began Easter week celebrations in St Peter’s Basilica under extraordinary circumstances, with no congregation allowed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Francis led the Palm Sunday Mass accompanied only by a few priests. Palm Sunday: Churches witness low turnout For the occasion, a cross venerated for helping bring an end to a […]
Pope Francis and Christians worldwide recited “The Lord’s Prayer” on Wednesday to ask God to stop the coronavirus, which has infected nearly half a million people. The pandemic also disrupted countless lives and shut down churches as well as other public venues. Francis invited all other Christian leaders and individual Christians on Sunday to recite […]
Pope Francis on Friday cancelled engagements due to a slight ailment. According to the Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, Francis celebrated morning Mass as usual but decided to postpone the day’s official audiences. Ogoni clean up: FG using unqualified contractors – Wike Bruni said the 83-year-old pontiff would however, confirm other meetings due to be held […]
Pope Francis, on Wednesday refused to endorse a proposal to allow married men to serve as priests in the Amazon region, in what would have been a special exception to the celibacy rule for clergy. In an October summit known as a synod, Amazon bishops called for admitting married men into the priesthood, only in […]