Vatican begins preparation to announce new Pope

Published

2 months ago

May 3, 2025

The Vatican has commenced processes to announce the Catholic Church’s 267th leader following the death of Pope Francis.

Ekwutosblog reports that the Vatican on Monday announced that the conclave to elect the new pontiff would begin on Wednesday, May 7.

During the period, Cardinals are expected to convene in the Sistine chapel at the Vatican for the exercise.

In a post on its official X handle on Friday, the Vatican announced that its fire brigade is currently putting up the chimney stack which will announce the election of the new Pope.

The post reads, “The Vatican fire brigade is putting up the chimney stack which will announce the election of the new Pope.

“The conclave to select the next Pope will begin on the 7th May.

“After every vote, smoke will emerge from the chimney – black if no Pope has been elected, and white if he has been”.

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Hardship: Pastor Adeboye plans prayer for economic restoration

Published

1 day ago

June 28, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, is set to lead a national prayer session for the restoration of Nigeria’s economy.

This comes amid worsening economic hardship in the country.

The prayer session will be held during the RCCG’s July 2025 thanksgiving service, themed “Divine Intervention,” at the church’s national headquarters in Oyingbo, Lagos.

Speaking through his Special Assistant on Administration, Pastor Dele Balogun, Adeboye said the current challenges facing Nigeria and other nations are surmountable through faith and positive action.

“Our nation, Nigeria, as well as other nations of the world, are going through a challenging time. However, the good news is that these challenges are surmountable by faith, if we do not entertain doubt,” he said.

Adeboye called on Nigerians to move away from negative confessions and embrace faith-based thinking as a pathway to progress, expressing confidence that God could reverse the country’s economic decline.

He said the prayer initiative is intended to spark national transformation and open up “divine opportunities” for the country.

Also speaking, the Assistant Pastor in Charge of Province 1, RCCG, Pastor Olusegun Macaulay, noted that divine opportunities are often activated by God and benefit those who are spiritually connected.

Macaulay added that a dedicated team is already praying for the nation throughout the second half of the year, focusing on key areas such as the economy, environment, and national stability.

Religion

Second batch of Kwara pilgrims for 2025 Hajj return from Saudi Arabia

Published

5 days ago

June 24, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The second batch of 548 pilgrims from Kwara State has returned to Ilorin, the state capital, after successfully performing the 2025 Hajj rites in Saudi Arabia.

The pilgrims, along with one participant from Ondo State and three accompanying officials, were conveyed by Max Airline and arrived at the Babatunde Idiagbon International Airport, Ilorin, at precisely 7:01 p.m.

Leading the group were three state officials; Alhaja Khadijat Kuburat Abtawiy, Alhaji Abdullahi Kawu-Shuaib, and Hajia Sanni Ramat from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

Ekwutosblog had earlier reported the return of the first batch of 558 pilgrims on Saturday, bringing the total number of Kwara pilgrims who have returned from the Holy Land to 1,106.

Meanwhile, the Max Airline aircraft that transported the pilgrims back to Nigeria departed the Tunde Idiagbon International Airport at approximately 8:52 p.m.

Religion

Widows are not property to be inherited – CAN Chairman

Published

5 days ago

June 24, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Niger State, Bulus Yohanna, has condemned the practice of treating widows as property to be shared among relatives of their deceased husbands.

Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of the Kontagora Diocese, made the remarks on Monday in Minna during the 2025 International Widows’ Day celebration, organised by the Women Wing of CAN in the state.

He was represented at the event by his deputy, Rev. Joshua Marcus.

According to him, widows are human beings who deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, not as assets to be inherited.

“It saddens my heart when I hear of cases where relatives share not only the property of deceased individuals but also their wives.

“Widows are not property to be shared by the relatives of their husbands but human beings who should be treated with dignity, ” he said.

He urged family members of the deceased to desist from actions that further traumatise widows, and instead seek ways to support and uplift them.

The CAN chairman also encouraged widows to embrace self-reliance and focus on raising their children with purpose.

“I urge our widows to be productive, self-reliant and to engage in meaningful businesses if they are not employed. They should focus on the children God has blessed them with,” he added.

Earlier in her address, the State Chairperson of the CAN Women Wing, Mrs Ladi Nuhu, called on widows to remain resilient and intentional about building better lives for themselves and their families.

Speaking on the theme, “Empowering Widows: Building Resilience, Restoring Dignity”, Nuhu advised widows to anchor their hope in God and embrace self-reliance.

“We understand that you need support for your children, but this is the time to stand strong and not give up.

“I appeal to you to draw strength from Isaiah 54:5–6, which reminds us that widows have a special place in the heart of God, “ she said.