Catholics in Lagos gathered at the Holy Cross Cathedral today, Wednesday 23rd April 2025 for a Requiem Mass for the repose of late Pope Francis who died two days ago – on Easter Monday, aged 88.
It was the same scenario that played out on 2nd January 2023 when thousands of Catholics in Lagos attended Requiem Masses in their parishes and at the same Holy Cross Cathedral to pray for the happy repose of the soul of Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, who died on Saturday, 31st December 2022.
Just as was the case then, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins led the celebration with many other priests at the Cathedral to pray for Pope Francis today – a man credited with a lot of dynamism and positive changes in the church during his 12-year papacy.
Late Pope Francis presided over Benedict XVI’s funeral on Thursday, 5th January 2023, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, but on Saturday 26th April 2025, one of the Cardinals will preside over Francis’ funeral.
Francis’ body has been laid in state in St. Peter’s Basilica since yesterday and pilgrims have filed past to pay their last respect, while the world awaits the funeral and the Conclave of Cardinals that will convene from early May 2025.
While it is not in the DNA of real Catholics to speculate on who becomes the next Pope on the death of the any head of the church, curiosity tends to overwhelm the tradition which even the speculators have no control over.
Many popes have come from Italy, where the Vatican, a City State, is located. However, the last three Popes have been non-Italians – John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis. These three Popes have celebrated with me and my family when we had notable birthdays and anniversaries. When I turned 50 in 2004, I received an Apostolic Blessing in form of a scroll from Pope John Paul II. When my wife turned 50 in 2006, she also received a papal blessing from Pope Benedict XVI.
On our 20th and 30th wedding anniversaries in 2007 and 2017, we also were blessed, while Helen marked her 60th with a similar recognition in 2006.
On February 12, 2024, on my 70th birthday, Pope Francis also sent his Papal Blessing as presented at the Thanksgiving Mass by Msgr. Anthony Obanla, the Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos.
In my 71 one years on this planet, I have seen many Popes and whoever is chosen by the forthcoming Conclave of Cardinals will the 8th Pope I will be opportuned and privileged to see as a member of the Holy Roman Catholic Church.
In their succession line, the Popes in my life since I was born in 1954 have been:
Venerable Pius XII (Pope 1939-58)
John XXIII (Pope 1958-63)
Paul VI (Pope 1963-78)
Venerable John Paul I (Pope 1978)
John Paul II (Pope 1978-2005)
Benedict XVI (2005-2013)
Francis I (2013 – 2025)
There have been 266 Popes of the Roman Catholic Church, starting with the Apostle Peter, the first Pope in 32 AD and leading up to the newly elected Pope Francis.
So, since I was born 71 years ago, eight Popes have piloted the affairs of the Universal Church. The Pope in the saddle when I was born in 1954 was Venerable Pius XII who reigned from 1939 to 1958 as the 260th Pope. He was born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli on March 2, 1876, in Rome and died on October 9, 1958.
I did not visit the Vatican during Pope Francis’ papacy as the 266th Pope, according to the official lists, so I had no opportunity to meet or be close to him physically, and he also did not travel to visit Nigeria so apart from signing the papal message to celebrate my 70th birthday last year, I did not meet him as I also did not visit Rome during this period.
Pope Francis was elected Pope in March 2013, following the unique occurrence of February 11, 2013, when the then 85-year-old Benedict XVI shocked the world by announcing his retirement, becoming the first pope in 600 years to do so. He cited his advanced age and his lack of strength as unsuitable to the exercise of his office.
But Pope Francis has defied all odds and lived a long life, in spite some illnesses along the way. There is no doubt that he was prepared for his departure, and his legacy will surely be well remembered for good, for he governed the Church with long-lasting and remarkable contributions.
Lagos Archbishop Martins described Pope Francis’ life as one of committed service and personal sacrifice.
Pope Francis was born on 17th December 1936; was ordained a Jesuit priest on 13th December 1969 and consecrated Bishop on 27th June 1992 while he was created Cardinal on 21st February 2001. On 13th March 2013, he was elected Pope in succession to Pope Benedict XVI.
As we await the choice of a new Pope, we know that no speculation will change the plan of God to provide another Good Shepherd for His people.
Rest in peace, Pope Francis!
