The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has joined Catholics worldwide in mourning the death of the former Pope Benedict XVI at age 95.
Religion Nigeria reported that the late Pope’s passing on Saturday came after Pope Francis requested prayers for him, stating that he was “extremely unwell.”
Buhari, through his Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina stated, “On behalf of the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with Pope Francis, the Catholic Church in Nigeria and around the world, as well as all Christian faithful who mourn the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI”.
Meanwhile, the Vatican said the body of the Pope Emeritus will be placed in St Peter’s Basilica from 2 January for “the greeting of the faithful”.
Plans for Pope Benedict’s funeral will be announced in the next few hours, the Vatican said.