The Muslim community at Lagos State University (LASU) has extended heartfelt congratulations to the global Catholic faithful following the historic election of a new Pope, describing the occasion as a beacon of hope and a profound symbol of peace for the world.
In a message issued on Friday in Lagos, the Chief Imam of LASU, Professor Amidu Sanni, praised the selection of Cardinal Robert Prevost—now Pope Leo XIV—as a significant moment not only for the Catholic Church but also for interfaith harmony and global diplomacy. The Imam highlighted the Pope’s unique background and moral conviction, calling him “a leader shaped by compassion and grounded in justice.”
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Cardinal Prevost was elected the 267th Pope on Thursday, becoming the first American and first North American to ever ascend to the papacy. The 133-member conclave of cardinals reached a decision after two rounds of voting, with the final choice emerging from Thursday’s ballot. He will now serve under the title Pope Leo XIV.
Prof. Sanni noted that the new Pope’s 14-year missionary experience in one of Peru’s most impoverished and marginalized regions equipped him with rare insight into the plight of the vulnerable—an experience that is expected to influence his papacy in profound ways.
“On behalf of the entire Muslim community of LASU,” the Imam stated, “we send warm greetings to the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide on the elevation of Cardinal Robert Prevost to the esteemed position of the 267th successor of St. Peter.”
He went on to describe Pope Leo XIV as a man of deep humility and a voice for the voiceless. “His ties with the grassroots, his openness to dialogue, and his bridge-building stance—especially with lesser clergy and the underserved—set him apart as a moral compass in these troubled times.”
Prof. Sanni also reflected on the Pope’s inaugural address, noting its philosophical depth and its contrast with the current global political climate. “The Pope’s call for reconciliation, disarmament, and a return to human dignity resonates deeply in a world torn by conflict, polarization, and the erosion of shared values,” he said.
The Imam urged African leaders to draw inspiration from the Pope’s early message and adopt a governance model rooted in empathy, public service, and integrity. “There is a dire need to rekindle trust between governments and the people they serve. The Pope’s message offers a path forward—one of love, humility, and collective healing,” he added.
Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Pope Leo XIV holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics (1977), a Master of Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago (1982), and a Licentiate and Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome (1984 and 1987 respectively).
