The Holy Father, Pope Francis has extended his condolences to the Archdiocese of Douala following the death of Christian Cardinal Tumi.

The Archbishop Emeritus of Douala passed away last Saturday, April 3 after a brief illness, Mgr Samuel Kleda, Archbishop of Douala announced.

Among the flow of tributes that followed his death was that of Pope Francis who described Cardinal Tumi as an apostle of peace.

In a telegram sent to the Archbishop of Douala on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis expressed his condolences to the church in Cameroon while paying homage to the fallen prelate.

“On learning with sorrow of the death of our brother Cardinal Christian Tumi, I wish to express my condolences and my union in prayer with the College of Cardinals, the family and friends of the deceased, as well as with all those who mourn him,” wrote the Pope.

“(Cardinal Tumi) left an unforgettable mark on the Church and on the social and political life” of Cameroon”.

He also described the fallen prelate as a man who committed himself “courageously to the defense of democracy and the promotion of human rights.”

“He was a faithful collaborator of the Popes, assuming various offices in the Roman Curia,” wrote Pope Francis. “May the Lord welcome His servant into His peace and joy!”