Tag: VATICAN

“Nigeria’s violence beyond religion” – Shari’ah Council

Aminu Imam
Shari’ah Council

…Says Kukah’s remarks “unfair, insensitive” …Vatican dismiss faith-based narratives A rare convergence of voices from both Islamic and Christian leaders has challenged growing claims that Nigeria’s persistent violence is driven by religion, calling instead for a deeper look into the nation’s social and political realities. The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), Kaduna State Chapter, has condemned recent comments by Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah, which linked the implementation of Shari’ah law in northern Nigeria to rising violence.  The Council described Kukah’s remarks as “unfair and insensitive”, insisting they misrepresent…

Read More

Tinubu meets Catholic Bishops in Vatican, urges unity across diversity

Aminu Imam
Tinubu meets Catholic Bishops

In a powerful moment that transcended religion and politics, President Bola Tinubu met with members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria during his visit to Rome for Pope Leo XIV’s installation mass. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the papal inauguration, brought together some of Nigeria’s most revered spiritual leaders and reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to interfaith harmony and national cohesion. President Tinubu, a devout Muslim, used the occasion to deliver a message rooted in peace, purpose, and progress.  Speaking to the bishops, he said: “If we use…

Read More

“I’m Head of the Nigerian delegation” – Tinubu to Peter Obi in Rome

Aminu Imam
Tinubu to Obi

President Bola Tinubu told the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, yesterday, that he is the head of Nigeria’s delegation to the Vatican. The remark was made during the installation mass of Pope Leo XIV, where Tinubu, Peter Obi and former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi met each other. According to a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Fayemi spotted President Tinubu seated among world leaders and urged Obi to join him in greeting the Nigerian leader. Obi agreed and followed. As they approached Tinubu, the statement…

Read More

US Cardinal Prevost elected Pope Leo XIV

Aminu Imam
Pope Leo XIV

…Becomes first American Pontiff In a landmark moment for the Catholic Church, United States (U.S.) Cardinal Robert Prevost was yesterday elected in a surprise choice to be the new leader of the Catholic Church, taking the name Leo XIV, becoming the first American pontiff. Pope Leo, appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica around 70 minutes after white smoke billowed from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel signifying the 133 cardinal electors had chosen a new leader for the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church. With this election, Prevost, aged…

Read More

Pope Francis sustains forearm injury after fall

Aminu Imam
Pope Francis sustains forearm injury

The Vatican announced yesterday that Pope Francis injured his right forearm after falling at his residence, but confirmed that there were no fractures. The statement read: “This morning, following a fall at the Santa Marta residence, Pope Francis sustained a contusion on his right forearm, without fractures. As a precaution, the arm was immobilised”. The 88-year-old pontiff, who has led the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church since 2013, often relies on a cane or wheelchair due to knee and back pain. In recent years, Pope Francis has faced several health challenges,…

Read More

“Ive signed my resignation letter in case of health failure” Pope Francis

Aminu Imam

Pope Francis prays by a Nativity Scene during the weekly general audience on December 14, 2022 Pope Francis revealed for the first time in an interview on Sunday that he had signed a resignation letter nearly a decade ago should poor health prevent him from carrying out his duties. Francis who turned 86 on Saturday has said in the past that he would step down from the papacy should health problems keep him from his duties. In a Spanish newspaper ABC, the pontiff said he signed his resignation…

Read More

Al-Azhar, Vatican agree to fight extremism, hatred

Aminu Imam

The renowned Egyptian university, Al-Azhar and the Vatican have agreed to continue efforts to fight extremism and hatred, pointing to their ongoing work to ensure that love and stability prevail across the world. This came during a meeting at Al-Azhar, in Cairo, at the weekend, between Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb, and Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, the Head of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and a specialist in Islamic studies. Vatican ambassador in Egypt Archbishop Nicholas Henry attended the meeting. Tayyeb said, The relationship between Al-Azhar…

Read More

Pope Francis, ex-Pope Benedict receive COVID-19 Vaccine

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

Pope Francis and retired Pope Benedict have received their first vaccination against COVID-19, the Vatican said. The two were given the jab at the Vatican, it added. Francis, who is 84, had part of a lung removed due to an illness in his 20s, so he would be a high-risk patient if he were to contract the virus. Pope Emeritus Benedict 14, who is 93, also lives within the small city-state that is surrounded by Rome. The Vatican began its vaccine roll-out yesterday Wednesday. It said that health-care workers, security…

Read More