The Justice Development Peace Commission of the Catholic Church on Thursday, applauded Pope Leo XIV’s emergence as successor to the late Pope Francis while distancing the election process from US President Donald Trump and any foreign influence.
The JDPC’s Badagry Deanery Executives, speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria following the election of the new Pope, stated that God has conferred leadership on the Church.
JDPC is the Church’s social arm, with a mandate to provide social, humanitarian, and enlightenment services to the public.
Mr Onyema Onyekakeye, Chairman of the JDPC’s Badagry Deanery, stated that Pope Leo XIV was chosen in accordance with established custom.
Onyekakeye maintained that it had absolutely nothing to do with President Donald Trump or any other external influence or person.
Similarly, Mr Joe Ahanna, Chairman of JDPC’s St Peter and Paul Parish in Tedi Ojo, Lagos State, stated that the faithful were grateful to God for the election of a new pope to lead the Church and the globe.
“The Catholic Church is the most disciplined and organised institution in the world.
” It has her laid-down ways of doing things, and critical decisions like the selection of a new pope follow strictly known procedures and are subject to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
“We welcome and pray for the success of Pope Leo XIV as he leads the flock to divine transformation,” he said.
Chronicle NG reports that 133 cardinal electors returned to the Sistine Chapel on Thursday to elect a new Pontiff after the first ballot on Wednesday failed to produce a new pope.
The emergence of Pope Leo XIV ended weeks of a meticulously selection process of a Pope and its characterised suspense.
