In the appearance on Arise TV News Night, Fr. Banjo also reflected on the life and legacy of Pope Francis, painting a portrait of a Pontiff whose reign was deeply defined by one profound word – mercy. “You cannot talk about Pope Francis without mentioning mercy,” Fr. Banjo began, his tone both reverent and resolute. “That is what the Church stands for.” In his view, Pope Francis not only preached mercy but embodied it with every gesture, message, and mission.
His papacy reminded the world that mercy is the beating heart of the Christian faith, not an optional virtue. “A Church without mercy is a contradiction,” he asserted, “because Jesus came to show mercy. He is mercy.” Fr. Banjo likened Pope Francis’ message to the parable of the prodigal son – a Father’s open arms always ready to welcome home the sinner. “God is never tired of forgiving us,” he echoed the Pope’s own words, emphasizing that the Church exists precisely because there are sinners in need of grace. But mercy was only one pillar of a Papacy rich in symbolism and substance. Joy, Fr. Banjo added, was another defining feature of Francis’ reign.
Referring to the Pope’s 2013 Apostolic Exhortation ‘Evangelii Gaudium, meaning ‘The Joy of the Gospel, he explained that for the Supreme Pontiff, true joy is born from salvation. “It’s not that you won’t face problems,” he said, “But you will not be overwhelmed. Jesus gives grace in the storm.” Even in death, Pope Francis seemed to radiate that joy. “Someone told me she looked at the image of him lying in state and saw what looked like a smile,” Fr. Banjo shared softly. “That’s who he was – joyful till the end.” From his earliest days as a Pontiff taken “from the peripheries,” Pope Francis consistently championed the marginalized – refugees, the imprisoned, the homeless, and even those communities often rejected by the institutional Church.
“He reminded us that everyone is welcome in the house of God,” Fr. Banjo said, referencing the Pope’s radically inclusive tone toward the LGBTQ+ community and others on the fringes of religious life. “If you close the door on a sinner, where is the hope of salvation?” Francis’ humility was not theatrical—it was sincere, lived, and persistent. Eschewing papal grandeur, he chose to live in Casa Santa Marta instead of the Apostolic Palace, carried his own bag, and gave specific instructions to be buried plainly, marked by a simple gravestone with just one word: Franciscus. His choice of modest vehicles, even during high-profile visits like his U.S. tour, underscored this message.
“He taught us that true leadership lies in humility,” Fr. Banjo said. The Pontiff also became a powerful symbol of unity across religious and cultural lines. “We are all children of God,” he would say—Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews—none excluded. One of his most profound encyclicals, Fratelli Tutti (“All Brothers”), called the world to fraternity and peace. “His funeral was a testimony to that message,” Fr. Banjo noted, referencing the diverse presence of global dignitaries and religious figures.
“That, in itself, is a message of peace.” For leaders in Nigeria and across the world, Fr. Banjo said there are lessons to be drawn from the Pope’s unwavering focus on the poor and oppressed. Recalling how Pope Francis discouraged his countrymen from spending money to attend his coronation, urging them instead to care for the poor, he called for a rethinking of leadership priorities.
“Let us cut down on the non-essentials and focus on those we are called to serve.” In a country like Nigeria, often divided along religious lines, Pope Francis’ life offers a blueprint for unity, compassion, and service. “His legacies are not just for the Church, they are for all humanity,” Fr. Banjo concluded. As the world bids farewell to this humble shepherd from Argentina, it is clear that Pope Francis’ legacy will not lie in ornate monuments or gilded cathedrals, but in the countless lives touched by his unwavering mercy, joy, humility, and commitment to the dignity of every human being.
… Enjoins world leaders to emulate Pope Francis, focus on essentials, not extravagance
Citing Pope Francis’ legacy of prioritising for the poor, Fr. Banjo urged world leaders to follow his example in reevaluating their priorities by focusing on essential needs rather than indulging in extravagance. According to him, by embracing simplicity and humility like the late Supreme Pontiff did, leaders can better serve their communities and promote the common good. The Secretary General noted that in a world marked by division and conflict, Pope Francis’s message of unity and brotherhood is particularly relevant.
He said that his encyclical ‘Fratelli Tutti’ meaning ‘’All Brothers’ illustrates the importance of living in harmony with people from diverse backgrounds and faiths. Fr. Banjo pointed to the Pope’s funeral, which brought together people from different walks of life and religious traditions, as a testament to the power of unity and peace. He stated, “You cannot talk about Pope Francis without talking about unity. He says we are all children of God, whether we are Christians or Muslims, whether you are Hindus or Jews we are all children of God and we should live as one. He says what unites us is far, far, far more than what divides us.
“In Nigeria where we have lots religious groups, especially, the two dominant ones, the Christians and Muslims living at loggerheads, killing one another, we can learn from him. One of his encyclicals is titled ‘Fratelli Tutti’, meaning we are all Brothers, we are all brethren, we can live as one, look at his funeral today, people from different walks of life, from different religious were there and that in itself is a message of peace.” Fr. Banjo further noted that the lessons from Pope Francis’s life and legacy offer valuable guidance for leaders seeking to make a positive impact. According to him, by embracing simplicity, compassion, and unity, leaders can build a more just and peaceful world for all.
