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St. Mary Major church: Tomb of Pope Francis opens to public

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Pope Francis' tomb bears just a single-world inscription like he asked for — © Alessandra Tarantino/AP Photo/picture alliance

Hundreds of people queued to visit the tomb of the late Pope Francis at the St. Mary Major church in Rome on Sunday.

Mourners began lining up to visit the tomb of the late Pope Francis at the St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome on Sunday.

The church, where the late pope is buried in a simple underground tomb, in keeping with his wishes, opened its doors to the faithful at 7 a.m. Vatican time (0500 GMT).

While many of his predecessors are buried at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Francis chose the basilica because he revered it, oftentimes visiting before and after trips abroad or hospital stays.

Francis became the first pontiff in over a century to be buried outside the grounds of the Vatican, when he was laid to rest in a private ceremony.

St. Mary Major is a pontifical basilica, one of four in Rome, with history dating back to the fifth century.
© Claudia Greco/REUTERS

 

St. Mary Major is a pontifical basilica, one of four in Rome, with history dating back to the fifth century.© Claudia Greco/REUTERS

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Strong political will remains solution to end killings in Nigeria — Pastor Enenche

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Pastor Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor, Dunamis International Gospel Centre, DIGC, Worldwide, has said that robust political will remains the solution to end senseless killings across the country.

Pastor Enenche stated this while addressing newsmen on Wednesday, at Yelewata Town, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, stressing that there was no single justification for the killings which claimed scores of lives on June 14.

According to the cleric, the country needs a strong political will to end the ongoing senseless killings across the country, especially the Yelewata Town attack.

Enenche added that the solution to the killings lies with the country’s leadership, adding that the government at all levels must develop a strong political will to end it.

“The solution to this type of issue is the will in the hearts of the leadership of our nation, both at the federal and state levels.

“Leadership that has the will to do the right thing and that has the heart of the people should put anything political aside and look at realities on the ground.

“And to value human lives above every other consideration and do what is right, in the interest of the people, in the interest of their consciences and, in fact, that one day everybody will stand before God to give account of their lives to God,” he said.

The senior pastor reiterated that the people would continue to trust God for the nation’s leadership to demonstrate compassion for her citizens, adding that that he was in the state to sympathise with his people, especially those in Yelewata Town, who were attacked and killed in their deep sleep.

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Northern CAN mourns Plateau chairman, Rev Fr. Lubo

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The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the North, has mourned the death of the Plateau State Chairman of the association, Rev. Fr. Dr. Polycarp Lubo.

Fr. Lubo died in the early hours of Sunday after a brief illness resulting from injuries he sustained in a recent accident.

A statement issued by the Northern CAN Chairman, Rev Joseph John Hayab, said the late Catholic priest was a courageous and devoted servant of God who lived for truth, justice, peace, and the protection of the vulnerable.

Hayab stated, “His declaration during the Plateau Peace Walk that ‘we deserve to live’ captured the collective cry of victims of violence, displacement, and injustice in Plateau and across Nigeria.”

He explained that the late priest also played a key role in interfaith collaboration, working with other faith leaders under the Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development to promote immunization and support the eradication of polio in Nigeria.

Hayab noted, “Fr. Lubo brought financial accountability and administrative strength to the association in his role as treasurer, his passing has created a significant void within the Northern Christian community.”

The Northern CAN extended its heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos, the Plateau State CAN leadership, his parishioners, and the broader Christian family.

It urged security agencies and government institutions to honour Fr. Lubo’s legacy by intensifying efforts to safeguard lives and promote justice across Plateau State and beyond.

Until his death, Fr. Lubo served as the Parish Priest of St. William’s Catholic Church, Zawan, where he was widely known for his humility, jovial spirit, and cross-community engagement.

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Pope Leo condemns ‘terrible massacre’ in Benue

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Pope Leo on Sunday offered prayers for the victims of what he described as a “terrible massacre” in Benue State, Nigeria.

Over 200 people were reportedly brutally killed in the Yelewata community of Guma Local Government Area in one of the latest incidents of herdsmen attacks in the state.

Speaking during his Sunday Angelus prayer, the pontiff said most of the victims were internally displaced persons (IDPs) who had sought shelter at a local Catholic mission in the area, making the attack even more horrifying.

“I am praying for security, justice, and peace in Nigeria,” Pope Leo said from St. Peter’s Square.

“In a special way, I am thinking of the rural Christian communities of Benue State, who have been relentless victims of violence.”

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