Buhari Mourns Pope Francis, Urges Israel and Hamas to End Gaza War as Final Respect to the Late Pontiff

Former Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Pope Francis, describing it as a profound loss not only for the Catholic Church but also for the global poor, migrants, and refugees whom the late pontiff championed.

In a condolence message, Buhari commended the late Pope for his unwavering commitment to the vulnerable and his efforts to bridge divides between the world’s major religions. “He was a Pope who strove to build a beneficial, complementary relationship between the followers of the world’s two greatest religions — Islam and Christianity,” Buhari said.

Buhari noted the Pope’s last public message, in which he appealed for an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. “Just hours before his demise, he made a call for an end to the war in Gaza. I hope Israel and Hamas will heed this call in final respect to the Pope.”

The former president expressed hope that Pope Francis’ successor would uphold and expand upon the values and initiatives championed during his papacy. “In Pope Francis’s death, the poor and migrants have lost a friend,” Buhari added.

Pope Francis’ death marks the end of a decade-long papacy defined by humility, social justice advocacy, and interfaith outreach. His influence was felt far beyond the Catholic world, resonating in global conversations on climate, peace, and human dignity.