‘A marvelous man’ – Niue priest pays homage to Pope Francis

Niue’s only Catholic priest has joined millions across the world in honoring His Holiness Pope Francis following his death.

According a press release issued by the Vatican office, the 88-year-old pontiff died of stroke, followed by a coma and heart failure at his Santa Marta residence in the Vatican on Sunday evening (Niue time).

Speaking to BCN News, Father Epiloka Pahia of the St Joseph’s Catholic Church of Niue described his leader as a “marvelous man” who was “down to earth” and whose leadership within the church was “number one”.

“[The previous Popes] were all smart but the smartest one was Pope Francis because he made complicated things easy,” said Pahia. “He made it in a very simple way for people to understand.”

One of the world’s most consequential religious leaders, the pontiff was renowned for his humility and for embracing those on the margins of the Catholic church society.

“Our church is very hard to change,” said Pahia. “But his spiritual inspiration was very simple. He made things simple for the people but he did not change the origin of the faith.”

Pahia said Pope Francis had helped to “enlighten the church” on issues, like LGBTQIA+ rights and gay marriage, he united members of the Orthodox Catholic Church and the Catholic Church and shared his love for children, the environment, the poor and the incarcerated.

“He was so amazing, he was able to make everything good,” said Pahia. “He invoked the love of the people when he said priest can bless same-couples.”

“He tried to explain that we can bless anybody. There are blessings as part of sacraments and blessings to greet people. We must be fair to the people, they are Christian and they are human beings” said Pahia.

“He did big change in the church, big change.”

The Argentinian-born Pope, who was elected to the Papacy in March 2013 became the first pope in a millennia from outside of Europe.

Celebrities and world leaders took to social media to share their tributes following his passing, including Pacific leaders. In a Facebook post shared this morning, Prime Minister for the Cook Islands Mark Brown said “On behalf of the Government and people of the Cook Islands, I extend our heartfelt condolences on the passing of his Holiness Pope Francis”

He described the Pope as a leader of “deep humility and unwavering faith” who dedicated his life to “peace, compassion and justice for the vulneranable.”

“To our Catholic community here at home and around the world, we share in your mourning” said Brown.

“May his legacy continue to inspire us to walk in faith and serve with kindness, and lead with love.”

Niue’s Catholic community will hold a mass at the St Joseph Parish in Alofi Tokelau in honour of the Pope, whose funeral ceremony will take place in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Friday evening (Niue time).

The details of the mass in Niue have yet to be confirmed.