An official statement revealed that Youssouf “received with profound sadness the news of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, an eminent moral figure of our time and a defender of peace, justice, compassion, and human dignity.”

On behalf of the AU, its Member States, and the people of Africa, he expressed his sincere condolences to the Holy See, the global Catholic community, and all those around the world inspired by the extraordinary life of service, humility, and spiritual leadership of the first Latin American Pope.

He emphasized that he will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence, his service to the poor and marginalized, his bold calls for climate justice, his tireless pursuit of interfaith and intercultural dialogue, and his constant efforts to build bridges where others saw walls.

His voice conveyed moral clarity in an increasingly fractured world, and his legacy will resonate for generations to come, he added.

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