Peter Obi joins other dignitaries at St. Peter’s Basilica to bid farewell to Pope Francis

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election joined other dignitaries from around the world, to bid farewell to His Holiness, Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. Reporting on his social media handles, Obi writes:

This week, I stood among thousands at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, joined by Francis Cardinal Arinze and dignitaries from around the world, to bid farewell to a truly remarkable man: His Holiness, Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21.

The solemnity of the lying-in-state ceremony was profound. As I stood in quiet reflection, I couldn’t help but think about the indelible mark Pope Francis has left—not just on the Catholic Church, but on the entire world. He wasn’t just a Pontiff; he was a beacon of humility, a voice for the voiceless, and a living example of servant leadership in its purest form.

Pope Francis chose simplicity over grandeur and compassion over power. In a time when the world often feels fractured and indifferent, he stood firm in the belief that leadership should be anchored in service, truth, and care for the most vulnerable. He reminded us all that to lead is not to rise above, but to lift others up.

My understanding of his vision deepened when I was appointed to Scholars Occultantes, an international circle of thinkers he quietly founded during his years as Archbishop. It was here that I began to truly grasp the intellectual and moral force behind his teachings—a force dedicated to ethical leadership, social justice, and transformative truth.

I had the honor of meeting Pope Francis on three occasions. Each encounter was a gift. He carried a stillness that calmed the room, and a presence that stirred the soul. His humility was genuine, his conviction unwavering, and his faith contagious.

As the world mourns his passing, I hope his legacy becomes more than memory. I hope it becomes a movement. I urge leaders across Africa—and around the globe—to reflect deeply on the values he lived: justice, peace, dignity, and love. Let his life be a call to lead not with ego, but with empathy.

Rest in perfect peace, Pope Francis. Your light remains.