Pope Francis’ body is being moved to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning, where it will lie in state for three days to allow Catholic faithful to pay their final respects ahead of a funeral expected to bring a host of world Leaders. Francis, a groundbreaking reformer, died aged 88 on Monday from a stroke and cardiac arrest, ending an often turbulent 12-year reign in which he repeatedly clashed with traditionalists and championed the poor and marginalized.

Catholic pontiff, Pope Francis has died. Francis died at the age of 88, the Vatican has announced. In a post on the social media platform X, the Vatican said the pontiff died in his residence.

Nigerian Muslims joined others worldwide to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. Worshippers gathered at Eid grounds across the country for prayers, dressed in festive attire. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu encouraged Muslims to uphold the values learned during Ramadan. Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, emphasized tolerance, while Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, led a traditional Sallah visit to the Presidential Villa. Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen attended prayers at the Airport Road Eid ground in Abuja. Chief Imam Dr. Abdulkadir Salman Sholagberu led the prayers, urging Muslims to maintain the discipline and kindness shown during Ramadan.

The wife of the President, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday in the State House banquet hall during Iftar called Nigerians to extend hands of love toward one another to lessen the economic challenges faced by citizens. Present at the occasion were former first ladies of Nigeria, female National Assembly members, wives of National Assembly members, and other government dignitaries. The First Lady emphasized that the administration of President Bola Tinubu was doing all it could to improve the country and make life better for all Nigerians. She urged everyone to take one person at a time and lend a helping hand to such.

The Federal Government has declared Monday, March 31 and Tuesday, April 1 as public holidays in celebration of Eid-el-Fitr. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced  this in a statement on Wednesday through the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, while  congratulating Muslims faithful for the successful completion of fasting in the month of Ramadan. The Minister asked all Muslims to “embrace the virtues of self-discipline, compassion, generosity, and peace, stressing  the significance of love, forgiveness, and solidarity in building a harmonious society.”

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, has stated that pilgrimage is a spiritual journey of faith rather than mere tourism, he therefore charged intending pilgrims to be focused during the exercise to the holy land and portray Nigeria in a good image. Adegbite stated this during the departure of the 12th batch of intending Christian pilgrims to Israel and Jordan on Thursday in Abuja and Lagos. Adegbite affirmed that the pilgrims are expected to have a glorious and wonderful journey.