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The Lagos State University Muslim Community (LASUMC) has congratulated the global Catholic Church on the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as the 267th Pope, describing his ascension as a symbol of peace and a hopeful development for interfaith unity.
In a statement issued on Friday in Lagos, LASUMC Chief Imam, Prof. Amidu Sanni, extended warm regards to the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide following the election of Pope Leo XIV. He noted that the new pontiff’s past experience—particularly his 14 years spent working among the poor in a remote part of Peru—has prepared him for the moral and spiritual demands of the papacy.
“Pope Leo’s background reflects a unique closeness to the underserved and ordinary priests, qualities that will likely define his leadership,” Prof. Sanni said.
He also commended the Pope’s first public speech, which called for global reconciliation and disarmament, highlighting its contrast with the often aggressive tone of world politics. “At a time marked by violent conflicts, political instability, and disregard for human dignity, his message offers a refreshing moral direction,” he said.
The LASU Imam further urged African leaders to embrace the values of compassion and service demonstrated by the Pope, suggesting that such a shift could foster renewed trust between citizens and governments across the continent.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Cardinal Prevost, who was elected on Thursday after a second round of voting, is the first Pope from the United States and the North American continent. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 14, 1955.
Pope Leo XIV holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics, a Master of Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union, and advanced degrees in Canon Law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
English (US) ·