As Conclave Begins, Obi Shares Hopes On Next Pope

With the Catholic Church at a pivotal moment, Peter Obi has voiced quiet hopes for a Pope who can navigate faith, change, and leadership with grace and conviction.

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has shared his thoughts as the Catholic Cardinals begin their sacred task of choosing a new Pope.

This process, known as the conclave, started on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.

Using his official X handle, Obi called on all Christians and people of goodwill to pray for the Cardinals. He asked God to guide them with wisdom and grace as they take on the important responsibility of selecting a new spiritual leader for the global Catholic Church.

“As Christians and Catholics, we join our hearts in earnest prayer with all people of goodwill, as the conclave begins today. May God, in His infinite wisdom, guide the Cardinals in their sacred duty for a most fruitful and blessed outcome,” he said.

Obi also prayed that the new Pope would be someone who leads with compassion, humility, and dedication to humanity. He added, “We pray that the Cardinals are granted divine insight to choose a successor who will continue to lead with compassion, humility, and a steadfast commitment to serving humanity. May this process be filled with grace, and the outcome reflects God’s will for His Church and for the whole world. Amen.”

His message touched many Nigerians, who echoed his prayer and shared their own hopes for the outcome of the conclave. One commenter wrote, “May the Holy Spirit lead the cardinals in the conclave to select a Pope to lead God’s people, especially at this time in our society, when traditions and norms are being suppressed by too much liberal ideologies.”

Another added, “Amen oh! As a Nigerian Catholic, I join my voice and heart in this powerful prayer. Truly, may the Holy Spirit guide our Cardinals with divine wisdom and unity of purpose… May peace, grace, and blessings dey flow from this process. Amen so!”

Some users also voiced concerns and hopes for the next Pope’s direction. One mentioned, “I hope the next pope takes the global Christian genocide more seriously,” while another said, “We need a Pope in the form of Pope Saint John Paul II.”

In a related development, Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu announced that he would not participate in the conclave. He explained that he was obeying an instruction from the late Pope Francis, who had earlier asked him to give up certain privileges.

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