Adebayo hails Pope Leo XIV at 71, praises peace advocacy

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his 71st birthday, describing the pontiff’s commitment to peace, human dignity and vulnerable people as a moral inspiration to the world.

In a birthday message, Adebayo said he had met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican within the past year, an encounter that deepened his appreciation of the Pope’s humility, warmth and commitment to humanity.

He said the Pope’s voice was especially important as the world faced wars, terrorism, poverty, displacement, inequality and challenges linked to rapid technological advancement, saying “His advocacy for peace, dialogue, reconciliation and solidarity underscore the need to keep human dignity at the centre of global affairs”.

Adebayo said the message was particularly relevant to Africa, whose youthful population carried enormous hopes but faced serious security and developmental challenges.

“His persistent call for peace, dialogue, reconciliation and solidarity is particularly significant for Africa, a continent whose young population carries enormous hopes but also faces serious security and developmental challenges,” he said.

He said Nigeria and other African countries needed a global environment where peace could support economic development, technology could serve humanity, and international cooperation could lift people out of poverty rather than deepen divisions.

Adebayo prayed for the Pope’s continued good health, wisdom and strength as he led the Catholic Church and contributed to the search for a more peaceful, just and compassionate world.

“I therefore join millions of people around the world in wishing His Holiness a very happy 71st birthday. May God continue to grant Pope Leo XIV the wisdom and courage to guide the Church and to contribute to the building of a more peaceful, just and compassionate world,” he said.