Pope Francis has granted an audience to 112 pilgrims from Nigeria currently in Rome for the 2022 special pilgrimage organised by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC).

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, among other high-profile personalities, led the pilgrims to the papal audience at the Vatican City. 

A statement issued on Monday by Celestine Toruka, NCPC spokesperson, said the pontiff received the Nigerian flag from the pilgrims and prayed for peace and progress in Nigeria.

He also prayed for those who lost their lives in the recent flood incidents in Nigeria.

Mr Toruka said Yakuba Pam, the commission’s executive secretary, described the audience with the pope as spiritually fulfilling.

He quoted Mr Pam to have commended the good conduct of the pilgrims during the special pilgrimage to Rome despite what he described as some “inadequacies” and the inability of the pilgrims to visit Israel due to operational reasons.

Mr Toruka added that one of the pilgrims and the president of the Baptist Convention, Israel Akanji, believed the visit to the pope would have a special effect on Nigeria.

“The fact that the pope prayed for Nigeria and her people signifies a new beginning for the country,” he added in the statement.

The spokesman also said Daramola Bade, the general secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), who handed the Nigerian flag to the pope, said it was an unforgettable experience.

The pilgrims from Lagos and Enugu, as well as some high-profile personalities, including the deputy governors of Enugu and Nasarawa and traditional rulers, were in Rome for the pilgrimage. 

(NAN)