The Eze Ndigbo Ghana, HRM Eze Chukwudi Ihenetu has joined other world leaders to mourn the death of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88.

Born in Argentina, Pope Francis was the first Latin American to lead the over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.

In a statement issued from his revered Obiukwu Obieziokwu palace in Ghana, the Amigbo Nwagele Imo State-born royal father described the late pope as a reformist who used the best of his time to care for the poor.

While commiserating with the Vatican and Catholics all over the world, Ihenetu said the death of the pontiff just a day after Easter is iconic and pray that the Almighty God bless his soul.

“Pope Francis would be remembered as a bridge builder between faiths, the rich, and the poor.

“He was a great advocate for the developing world, where he consistently spoke against economic injustice and ceaselessly prayed for peace and stability in troubled regions of the world. His death is indeed a great loss to Christendom and the international community, where he is a steady promoter of peace and tolerance in a troubled world,” the monarch said.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, in Argentina, he was elected pope on March 13, 2013.