By Ken Sackey
Accra, April 22, GNA – Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has conveyed deep sadness at the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, hailing him as a shining symbol of tolerance and unity among faiths.
In a Facebook post, he wrote, “I have received today, Holy Monday of the Angel, the sorrowful news of the passing of the venerable Bishop of Rome, Head of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of the Vatican City State, His Holiness Pope Francis.”
“Since his election, the late Pope Francis has been a latent force of tolerance and inter-religious cooperation. He had given the world a clear indication of what his papacy would be in his choice of a papal name, Francis, after the great pilgrim Francis of Assisi”
President Akufo-Addo highlighted the Pope’s dedication to the marginalized, stating, “Pope Francis’ twelve-year service as Pope has been one of genuine care for the downtrodden and the poor.”
He also praised the Pope’s commitment to global peace and Africa’s progress, recalling their meetings at the Vatican.
“His deep concern for and vigorous pursuit of global peace and the progress of Africa had been consistently expressed during the times I had the privilege of meeting him at the Vatican. He was, indeed, God’s treasured gift to our world of today,” he said.
The former President extended his condolences to the Catholic community and Christendom, adding, “We pray that this great servant of humanity finds rest in the bosom of the creator until the last day of the resurrection, when we shall all meet again.”
Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died on April 21, 2025, according to a video statement released by the Vatican on Monday.
He was 88 years old.
GNA
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