During his installation Mass on Sunday, 18th May, 2025, Pope Leo XIV called on the Church to rise as a beacon of unity and a force for reconciliation. Using the solemn occasion to reflect on the Church’s role in a fractured world, he addressed the faithful with fear and trembling, approaching them as a brother and urging a renewed commitment to love, unity, and missionary outreach.
Emphasising the Gospel message for the day, the Holy Father reminded the congregation that Jesus entrusted his disciples with the task of becoming fishers of men, calling them to spread the hope of the Gospel to every corner of the earth. This mission, Pope Leo XIV recalled, remains rooted in the two virtues that Jesus handed down to Peter: love and unity.
The pontiff envisioned a Church that serves not only as a beacon for its followers but as a catalyst for healing a world broken by division and injustice. He spoke passionately of a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world. For Pope Leo XIV, this vision is not a utopian dream but a spiritual necessity, especially at a time when humanity is grappling with hatred, violence, prejudice, fear, and an economic reality that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalises the poorest.
The Pope’s appeal extended beyond the Catholic Church. His message carried a tone of ecumenism and interfaith solidarity. “This is the path to follow together,” he declared, “among ourselves but also with our sister Christian churches, with those who follow other religious paths, with those who are searching for God, with all women and men of good will, in order to build a new world where peace reigns!”
In an emotional prayer that concluded the service, Pope Leo XIV turned his thoughts to the suffering of the Ukrainian people, referencing the ongoing war. “The martyred Ukraine is waiting for negotiations for a just and lasting peace to finally happen,” he said, underlining the Vatican’s persistent call for dialogue and reconciliation in the face of conflict.
The pontiff warned against the danger of the Church withdrawing inward, becoming insular or self-righteous. “We are called to offer God’s love to everyone,” he said, stressing that genuine unity celebrates the unique personal, social, and religious identities of people around the world rather than erasing them. This inclusive approach, he noted, would prevent the Church “from closing itself off in small groups or taking on a feeling of superiority to the world.”
Pope Leo XIV concluded with a powerful invitation to all believers: to allow themselves to be stirred by the events of history and shaped by divine love. “We want to say to the world, with humility and joy: Look to Christ! Come closer to him! Welcome his word that enlightens and consoles! Listen to his offer of love and become his one family: in the one Christ, we are one,” he urged.
In his final words, he prayed that the Holy Spirit might guide all Christians in building a Church “founded on God’s love, a sign of unity, a missionary Church that opens its arms to the world, proclaims the word, allows itself to be made ‘restless’ by history, and becomes a leaven of harmony for humanity.”
[16:29, 5/19/2025] +234 812 981 7532: PFN Ends Uyo Retreat, Calls for Accountable Leadership
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has recently concluded a four-day retreat in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The gathering, which brought together more than 90 per cent of its national officers, was the first major assembly under the second term of its president, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, and reflected a determination to deepen the Fellowship’s role in shaping both the spiritual and civic atmosphere of the country.
Held with the theme of national transformation, the retreat provided a rare moment of introspection and strategic recalibration for PFN. Daily sessions were structured to include early morning devotions, revival gatherings, leadership teachings, and collective reflections on Nigeria’s evolving socio-political terrain. At the core of the retreat was the need to sharpen the PFN’s internal structures while intensifying efforts to be a moral compass and partner in the nation’s development.
“The retreat was designed to unite our leadership, consolidate our vision, and reposition PFN to make more impactful contributions—spiritually and in nation-building,” said PFN’s National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, during a post-retreat media briefing. He described the event as a significant milestone for the organisation, stressing its commitment to constructive engagement with national leaders.
One of the central messages that emerged during the retreat was the Fellowship’s insistence that Nigeria’s future depends not only on prayers but on decisive and sustained action by its leaders. During a keynote address, PFN called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu to move beyond declarations and begin to implement policies that address urgent challenges such as youth unemployment and porous borders.
“These are not times for rhetoric. Nigerians need to see results,” Bishop Bakare emphasized.
Throughout the sessions, PFN leaders recommitted themselves to the organisation’s dual mission of intercession and advocacy, asserting that effective governance must be strategic and people-focused. “When the government is serious and the people are engaged meaningfully, insecurity will decrease. That’s a vision we are committed to supporting through prayer and partnership,” Bakare added.
The presence of Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno lent added weight to the gathering. Addressing participants, the governor lauded the PFN for sustaining a credible and spiritually grounded voice in national affairs. He commended Bishop Wale Oke’s leadership style, particularly his efforts in creating space for young leaders and strengthening unity within the Christian fold.
Governor Eno’s involvement underscored the significance of the retreat, as did the attendance of PFN’s financial secretary, Dr. Bala Ukpai, one of the founding figures of the Fellowship. His participation was a highlight of the event, offering a bridge between the organisation’s early days and its future aspirations. Bishop Bakare, reflecting on Ukpai’s presence, said, “The encouragement and spiritual impartation from Baba Ukpai reminded us of our roots and re-energized us for the work ahead.”
