By Sunny A. David, Awka

Nigerian religious leaders from various denominations have welcomed the election of Pope Leo XIV, expressing hope for his leadership in advancing peace, justice, and inclusivity.

Archbishop Daniel Okoh of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) called the election a significant milestone, praising the new Pope’s potential to continue the legacy of his predecessors.

Catholic leaders echoed these sentiments. Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of Oyo Diocese stressed the Pope’s global responsibility, emphasizing the need for the Church to promote God’s love and dignity for all humanity, regardless of religious affiliation.

He urged the new Pope to act as a “bridge builder” and advocate for the marginalized, poor, migrants, and refugees.

Rev. Fr. Michael Nsikk Umoh of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) hoped Pope Leo XIV would continue and expand upon Pope Francis’ work on poverty and interfaith dialogue.

He also suggested clarifying some potentially ambiguous messages from Pope Francis.

Fr. Prof. Cornelius Omonokhua of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) called on the new Pope to prioritize inter-ecclesial and interfaith dialogue, and urged him to influence global leaders for positive change.

While acknowledging the Pope’s American origins, he specifically asked the Pope to exert influence on US President Trump.

These leaders underscored the expectation that the new Pope will address global issues and advance the Church’s mission of peace and unity, carrying forward the legacy of his predecessors while adapting to the contemporary needs of the world.