The Lagos State University Muslim Community (LASUMC) has extended warm congratulations to Catholics worldwide on the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as the 267th Pope, describing the papacy as a beacon of global peace.
In a statement released on Friday in Lagos, LASUMC Chief Imam, Prof. Amidu Sanni, praised the newly elected Pope Leo XIV for his humility, compassion, and deep connection to the underprivileged, shaped by his 14-year missionary service in impoverished regions of Peru.
“On behalf of the Muslim community of LASU, I send a goodwill message to the 1.4 billion Catholic faithful on the successful selection of Cardinal Robert Prevost as the new Pontiff,” Sanni stated.
He noted that Pope Leo XIV’s background and his advocacy for peace, disarmament, and reconciliation set a moral tone in today’s conflict-ridden world.
“His first address as the first American Pope stands in philosophical contrast to prevailing global power dynamics. He emphasizes peace over power and respect for human dignity in an age marked by conflict, division, and fear,” Sanni added.
He urged African leaders to draw inspiration from the new Pontiff’s message of love and public service, calling for stronger bonds of trust between leaders and citizens.
Cardinal Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was elected on Thursday in the second round of voting by 133 cardinals, following an inconclusive first round on Wednesday. Born in Chicago on September 14, 1955, he becomes the first American and North American to ascend to the papacy.
His academic credentials include a B.Sc. in Mathematics, a Master of Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and advanced degrees in Canon Law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
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