APC campaign team mourns Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council on Sunday mourned the demise of the former Catholic Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, saying his passion for humanity resonated within the Church and across people of all faiths.

The Vatican through its spokesman, Matteo Bruni, had announced the passing away of the 95-year-old pontiff on New Year’s Eve.

Recall that Pope Francis alerted the world concerning his ailing health on Wednesday when he requested for prayers on his behalf.

Reacting to his demise, the Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Simon Lalong, described him as a servant of God who lived and preached the Gospel with conviction.

The statement read, “On behalf of the Chairman, APC Presidential Campaign Council, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), GCFR, the presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, and the entire leadership of the PCC, I join the Catholic faithful in Nigeria and around the world to express our deep condolences over the demise of former Pope Benedict XVI.

“The late Pope Emeritus was a servant of God who lived and preached the counsel of God with love and conviction. He opened his arms to the world according to the teachings of Jesus Christ particularly through his deep concerns for the hurt and oppressed around the world.

“His passion for humanity resonated through his persistent admonition for tolerance, dialogue, peaceful coexistence and defence of human rights within the Church and across people of all faiths.

“We commiserate with his Holiness Pope Francis, the Catholic Bishops Conference, and the entire Christian Community over this loss and pray that the Lord will grant his soul eternal rest.”