A South West chieftain of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo has felicitated with the new Pope, Pope Leo XIV on his election.
The NNPP chieftain also congratulated the United States of America (USA) President, Donald Trump, that the first American to be a Pope was elected during his second term reign as US President.
Our correspondent reports that Leo was chosen Thursday evening, just two days after a group of 133 cardinals gathered in conclave to select a new pontiff, suggesting that he quickly impressed his peers during the secretive process.
He succeeded Pope Francis who died on April 21, 2025, (Easter Monday) at the age of 88 at Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City.
Pope Leo XIV, whose real name is Robert Francis Prevost, 69 years old is the first Pope from United States and the first North American Pope. He is the 267th pontiff of the 1.4 billion-strong Roman Catholic Church.
The NNPP chieftain in a statement made available to Afripost on Friday congratulated the new Pope on his election urging him to sustain the reforms initiated by the Late Pope Francis.
He said what is paramount now is peace, urging the new Pope to use his influence and Charisma to promote World Peace as well as good and descent living for the downtrodden.
He said he is optimistic that the tenure of the new Pope will bring a fresh air of peace in all continents of the World.
According to the statement, “I rejoice with the Catholic Church on the election of a new Pope, Pope Leo XIV.
“I believe his election and tenure will bring fresh air of peace across the World. I urge the new Pope to use his influence, religious leadership to promote tolerance among the different races of the World.
“He should also strive to seek good living conditions for the underprivileged in the society. May his tenure bring lasting peace to the World and progressivism to the countries that are struggling to be on their feet.
“Congratulations Pope Leo XIV , I wish you a good tenure and I pray you will sustain the reforms initiated by your predecessor, Pope Francis.
“I also congratulated the US President, Donald Trump, that the first American to be Pope came during his second term tenure as the United States of America (USA) President”.