"Women must take part in creating policies and legislation that reflect the society they want to live in"

Toyin Ojora Saraki

A brief introduction

Global advocate for women’s and children’s health and empowerment

 

As Founder-President of The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki is a global advocate for women’s and children’s health and empowerment, with two decades of advocacy covering reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health; ending gender-based discrimination and violence; and improving education, socio-economic empowerment, and community livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa.

Mrs Saraki is the Emeritus Global Goodwill Ambassador for the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM); special adviser to the Independent Advisory Group (IAG) of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Office for Africa (AFRO), was named by Devex as UHC Global Champion, is the Save the Children Newborn Health Champion for Nigeria; and is a Global Champion for the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood

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SPEECH FROM November 17th, 2024

Distinguished guests, healthcare professionals, advocates, and partners. It is an honour to address you today on World Prematurity Day, a day where we pause to reflect on the global impact of preterm births and renew our commitment to ensuring that every baby born too soon has access to quality care, no matter where they are born.

Today’s theme, “Over 13 Million Babies Born Too Soon Every Year: Access to Quality Care Everywhere,” is a profound call to action. Preterm birth is the world’s leading cause of death in children under five, with Nigeria facing one of the highest burdens of preterm births globally. Every year, over 300,000 babies are born prematurely in Nigeria alone. They face a range of health challenges, from respiratory issues and infections to severe complications like neonatal jaundice, which, if left untreated, can result in permanent neurological damage, including kernicterus, a preventable and debilitating condition. 

Through the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, our mission has always been to bridge the gaps in maternal and child healthcare, ensuring that both mothers and babies have the support they need at every critical stage. This mission is close to my heart, stemming from my personal experience as a mother who delivered three of my four children prematurely. I understand the challenges, the fears, and the hopes that come with preterm birth, and I am deeply committed to ensuring that families facing these challenges have access to the highest quality of care.

A cornerstone of our efforts is Project Oscar, a Neonatal Jaundice And Kernicterus Prevention Detection And Treatment  Initiative In Lagos State Primary, Secondary And Tertiary Health Care Facilities, launched in collaboration with our dedicated social impact partner, Reckitt. Initially piloted in Vietnam, Project Oscar was created by youth disability advocate Oscar Anderson to tackle the urgent issue of neonatal jaundice. Following its success, Project Oscar has expanded into Nigeria, where it aims to bring life-saving interventions for jaundice to preterm and full-term newborns alike, especially in underserved communities. 

In Nigeria, 60% of term newborns and 80% of preterm infants develop jaundice within their first week. While mild in many cases, jaundice can quickly become severe and life-threatening, particularly for preterm babies. Recognising the urgency of this situation, Project Oscar is committed to increasing early detection and providing timely access to phototherapy and other treatments that prevent the progression of jaundice to dangerous levels. 

Through Project Oscar, we work closely with healthcare providers and communities to raise awareness about neonatal jaundice, empowering parents to recognise early warning signs and access timely medical support. We have implemented a rigorous global standard of training protocol for frontline healthcare workers to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to identify, monitor, and treat jaundice effectively. Our WBFA team has also focused on developing educational materials tailored to local languages and cultural contexts, making it easier for communities to understand and act on this critical information.

Our social impact partnership with Reckitt is vital in mobilising resources and providing health facilities with essential phototherapy equipment, jaundice metres, and treatment protocols, all of which are set to make a profound difference in the lives of Nigerian families. 

Additionally, our partnership allows us to integrate sustainable practices into neonatal care, creating a scalable model that can be expanded across the country. By training healthcare professionals and embedding best practices in hospitals and clinics, Project Oscar aims to leave a lasting impact on neonatal health in Nigeria and around the world through the Light for Life campaign, helping to prevent the long-term disabilities associated with untreated jaundice.

Alongside our efforts to address jaundice, we continue to promote and support breastfeeding as an essential element of neonatal care through the Mamacare360 NICU Plus programming. Our WBFA midwives are actively engaged in providing lactation support to mothers, emphasising the importance of breast milk as a natural defence against infections and a vital source of nutrition, particularly for preterm infants. In addition to the practical benefits, breastfeeding fosters a critical bond between mother and child, nurturing emotional resilience in both and supporting long-term health outcomes. 

By empowering mothers with breastfeeding support, we are contributing to a holistic model of neonatal care, one that goes beyond survival to encompass the thriving of newborns. In communities across Nigeria, our WBFA midwives have become trusted sources of information and support, offering guidance on initiating and sustaining breastfeeding, even in challenging circumstances.

Today, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to our social impact partners at Reckitt, our healthcare professionals, midwives, and the communities who continue to support our mission. Your dedication to this cause has been instrumental in making tangible progress toward a future where all babies, regardless of where they are born, have an equal chance to survive and thrive.

On this World Prematurity Day, as we honour the millions of babies born too soon, let us reaffirm our commitment to bridging the gap in neonatal care, particularly for those born in underserved areas. Together, we can ensure that every baby receives the care they need to start life healthy, supported, and safe. 

Thank you.

 

SPEECH FROM October 16th, 2024

Building Trust for a Healthier World

As the World Health Summit 2024 convenes in Berlin, an international platform for global health, setting the agenda for a healthier future and wellbeing for all, I was pleased to virtually engage and provide a keynote goodwill at the World Health Summit 2024 Pre-Conference Partners Symposium on Self-Care, organised by the World Health Organization Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, in collaboration with the Global Self-Care Federation.

Amplifying the Joint Statement on Self-Care Interventions for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights to Advance Universal Health Coverage, endorsed by the UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, the Symposium aimed to develop a global action plan to operationalise actions to help guide academic researchers, industry, health policy and decision-makers, and funders, as they design and fund health systems and people-centered activities to influence self-care policies and practices.

The success of self-care interventions relies heavily on a well-trained health workforce that can support these initiatives with competency-based education. The Wellbeing Foundation Africa midwives, nurses, and other frontline health personnel play a pivotal role in promoting trust in self-care and ensuring that individuals have the knowledge and confidence to use these tools effectively.

This will serve to move the world closer to achieving the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals targets, including Universal Health Cover, in line with the WHO’s thirteenth and fourteenth General Programmes of Work (GPW-13 and GPW-14), as supported by the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, and together through strategic investment, policy innovation, and collaborative action, we can accelerate progress toward a world where health and wellbeing are within reach for all.

 

 

 

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SPEECH FROM October 14th, 2024

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, and Valued Participants,

My name is Toyin Saraki, and I am the Founder and President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, a Nigerian NGO dedicated to enhancing health and wellbeing outcomes for women and children. Our mission is rooted in prioritising frontline impact through global advocacy, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the World Health Organisation’s Special Initiative for Mental Health, committed to creating a world where mental wellbeing is a fundamental aspect of health for all.

Thank you for your presence here today as we gather to confront one of the most pressing public health issues of our time: suicide prevention. I extend my gratitude to our convener, Professor Taiwo Lateef Sheikh, and the entire organising committee for convening this important conference, dedicated to addressing the theme of “Decriminalising Suicide Attempt in Nigeria: Long Overdue.” I would also like to express my appreciation to Thilini Perera, CEO of LifeLine International, and the Nigeria LifeLine Member Organisations and supporters joining us today, including Asido Foundation, for their unwavering support. Your commitment to mental health advocacy and suicide prevention has been instrumental in advancing our collective efforts, and it is an honour to collaborate with you in this vital mission.

Today, we stand at a critical juncture in our collective efforts to promote mental health and prevent suicide across Nigeria. The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) has been at the forefront of these initiatives, working tirelessly to integrate mental health services within broader health systems strengthening. Through high-level collaborations with the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), WBFA has made significant strides in stakeholder advocacy and policy implementation.

We are currently confronting a profound issue that touches the lives of many Nigerians: the criminalisation of attempted suicide under Sections 327 and 231 of our legal framework. This outdated law serves as a harsh reminder to those struggling with mental health issues that their suffering is not only misunderstood but condemned. In a country where the stigma surrounding mental health is pervasive, the fear of legal repercussions inhibits individuals from seeking the help they desperately need.
The data from the World Health Organisation is alarming. Suicide claims more lives each year than HIV, malaria, or even violent deaths such as homicide, war, or terrorist attacks. It is the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally, and Nigeria ranks high in suicide rates, with approximately 15,000 annual deaths attributed to this tragic outcome. These numbers are likely underreported due to the fear of criminalisation and societal stigma. We must recognise that for every life lost, there are at least 30 attempts, indicating that around 300,000 Nigerians face suicidal distress each year, questioning whether to seek help amidst the threat of punishment.
It is imperative that we work towards decriminalising suicide attempts in Nigeria. We must shift our focus from punishment to compassion, recognising that suicide is a public health issue that requires a response rooted in understanding and care. By doing so, we can begin to break the cycle of silence and neglect that currently surrounds mental health issues in our society.

That is why I am humbled to be joining efforts directly through my new appointment as Global Honorary Patron of LifeLine International, a dedicated organisation ensuring universal access to suicide prevention and crisis support services. In partnership, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa and I aim to combat stigma by raising awareness, educating communities about the warning signs, and encouraging help-seeking behaviour change. I am committed to leveraging my experience and the resources of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa to empower vulnerable and marginalised populations with the quality they deserve throughout the continuum of care, and reach the goal that by 2050, every individual, regardless of their location, has access to high-quality crisis support services.

As we engage in discussions about the National Suicide Prevention Framework, we must reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that mental health and suicide prevention are recognised as critical public health priorities. The commitment to these frameworks not only signifies the government’s responsibility towards its citizens but also embodies the hopes of countless individuals and families impacted by mental health challenges.

This conference today serves to provide us with a a comprehensive understanding of the legal, policy, and cultural contexts of suicide in Nigeria, a clear roadmap for the decriminalisation of suicide, supported by evidence-based recommendations, enhanced collaboration between government, civil society, and religious institutions in suicide prevention efforts and increased public awareness and de-stigmatisation of suicide and mental health conditions.

In closing, let us express loudly and proudly our commitment to mental health and suicide prevention, recognising them as critical public health priorities. By working collaboratively and consistently, we can break down the barriers to mental health care and ensure that everyone has access to the support they need, creating a compassionate society where no one faces these challenges in isolation.

Thank you.

Today, on the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, the pioneering founder of modern nursing, I mark International Nurses Day 2025 by celebrating the essential role that nurses play in advancing health and wellbeing across the world, through this year’s theme, Our Nurses, Our Future – Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies.

A resilient, supported, and thriving nursing workforce is not only the foundation of a responsive health system, it is the very core of sustainable development. Nurses are caregivers, educators, advocates, and leaders; when we invest in their wellbeing, we multiply the impact of care and catalyse prosperity for families, communities, and nations alike.

At the @WellbeingAfrica Foundation, we have always held deep regard for the invaluable contributions of our WBFA nurses, who work hand-in-hand with our midwives and healthcare workers on the frontlines to deliver quality, respectful maternal, newborn, child and adolescent healthcare. Their knowledgeable and compassionate presence improves outcomes, empowers families to make informed decisions, and has saved countless lives, uplifting entire communities across Nigeria.

Yet, we must also listen closely to what nurses are telling us, about the pressures they face, the support they need, and the opportunities they deserve,  as clearly reflected in the ICN’s 2025 Report, which captures the lived realities of a workforce strained by burnout, unsafe conditions, and underinvestment, but still delivering care with commtiment.

WBFA echoes the calls of the International Council of Nurses and the @WHO’s State of the World’s Nursing reports: governments, institutions, and global partners must commit to fair remuneration, safe workplaces, continuing education, mental health support, and clear pathways to leadership and decision-making.

When we care for those who care for us, we lay the foundations for a healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous world.

📸: 13th Annual Nurses` Scientific Conference - July 2022
@lagoshealth

#InternationalNursesDay2025
#OurNursesOurFuture
#WellbeingForAll
#MaternalMonday
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On this World Hand Hygiene Day 2025, I reaffirm that safeguarding health systems begins with the simplest of acts: clean hands, with or without gloves.

This year’s @WHO theme, “It might be gloves. But it’s ALWAYS hand hygiene,” is a powerful reminder that gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene. In fact, their inappropriate or excessive use can lead to false security, cross-contamination, and a growing environmental burden from avoidable healthcare waste.

As nations work toward embedding infection prevention and control within national policy frameworks, WHO’s Global Action Plan and Monitoring Framework (2024–2030) calls for the establishment of hand hygiene compliance monitoring as a national indicator by 2026, an imperative which aligns with the @WellbeingAfrica Foundation’s decades-long commitment to #WASH in healthcare and community settings.

Through our WBFA–@DettolNigeria Hygiene Quest programme, supported by our social impact partners @ThisIsReckitt under the Clean Naija initiative, we champion lifelong hygiene habits across schools, health facilities, communities, and homes, reinforcing the WHO’s 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene, advocating for standard operating procedures that integrate WASH into facility-level planning, and supporting climate-resilient health systems that protect both patients and practitioners.

Clean Hands Save Lives. Hand hygiene remains a fundamental right, a frontline defence, and a critical health intervention. In honouring this global day, let us recommit to policies and practices that make hand hygiene a cornerstone of universal health coverage, health security, and environmental sustainability.

#WorldHandHygieneDay
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I am delighted to wish the International Confederation of Midwives @World_Midwives, and midwives around the world a Happy International Day of the Midwife as we highlight the role of midwives as being critical in every crisis!

Midwives play an irreplaceable role in navigating compounding global emergencies, which continue to disproportionately affect women and girls, exposing them to increased risks of maternal mortality, gender-based violence, and disruptions to essential healthcare.

Yet amid this, midwives remain the backbone of continuity. With the capacity to deliver up to 90% of essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health #SRMNAH services, midwives are often the first and only point of contact for women and families during emergencies. They provide clinical excellence, psychosocial care, and culturally attuned guidance, often in settings of resource scarcity.

I salute the extraordinary commitment of the @WellbeingAfrica Foundation midwives and midwives across the world, while acknowledging the collaborative leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives.

This weeks activities are off to a great start as #WBFA proudly presents our Project Oscar — Light for Life Abstract at the IDM Global Virtual Conference @VirtualMidwives, while Lagos #Mamacare360 Frontline Midwives join their Lagos Island Maternity Hospital Midwives colleagues in community sensitisation. We look ahead to supporting the Lagos State Health Service Commission Scientific Conference, and continue celebrations of our WBFA midwives in states across Nigeria through localised ceremonies that reinforce our commitment to equity in #MNCH.

As echoed in the recent @WHO Global Health Emergency Preparedness Report, resilience is not reactive, it must be deliberately built. Investment in midwifery is a proven, cost-effective, and rights-based strategy for health system strengthening.

Happy #IDM2025!

H.E. Toyin Ojora Saraki
Founder & President, Wellbeing Foundation Africa
Emeritus Inaugural Goodwill Ambassador, International Confederation of Midwives (2014 - 2020)
Global Champion for the @WhiteRibbonAlliance

#WellbeingForAll 
#MaternalMonday
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On @UnitedNations World Press Freedom Day 2025, I honour and reaffirm the fundamental pillars of free expression and the indispensable responsibility of the media in safeguarding truth, justice, and democracy.

This year’s theme, “Freedom of Expression in the Face of the AI Revolution,” reminds us that while artificial intelligence offers extraordinary tools to expand access to information, it also brings profound risks, from the algorithmic amplification of disinformation, bias, and surveillance, to deepfakes, misinformation in the public domain and shrinking pluralism, that erode public trust and threaten democratic processes.

Let us strengthen cooperation to ensure that digital technologies are governed with transparency, responsibility, and equity, while we protect the safety, dignity, and independence of media whose work remains essential to our shared future.

#WorldPressFreedomDay
#AIandJournalism
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On this #WorkersDay, I extend my gratitude and commendation to my dedicated @WellbeingAfrica Foundation team, and to our local and global partners in social impact, whose knowledge, compassion, and professionalism continue to transform communities, fortify health systems, and uphold the rights and wellbeing of women, children, and families across Nigeria.

From the frontlines of care to the strategic mission of our foundation, every member of #WBFA plays an indispensable role in advancing health equity, human dignity, and sustainable development for all.

Your work is the quiet force behind lasting change, and we honour the continued impact of your service.

#WorkersDay
#WellbeingForAll
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On the momentous occasion of Sunday the 27th of April’s 15th Coronation Anniversary of His Royal Majesty Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Kusenla III, I extend heartfelt congratulations and warmest felicitations to a dear brotherly Royal Father and Majestic Kinsman, the distinguished custodian of the rich cultural heritage of the Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, @hrmsaelegushi.

Fifteen years ago, as a young prince, His Majesty ascended the revered throne of his forebears with a vision of excellence, modernity anchored in tradition, and a commitment to the progress and dignity of his people. His remarkable blend of youthful dynamism and royal gravitas has distinguished his reign across Nigeria, symbolising leadership characterised by innovation, inclusivity, and cultural pride. Through his noble stewardship, the Ikate Kingdom has flourished, and his contributions to national development, particularly in promoting education, cultural preservation, and youth empowerment, are deeply commendable.

I also take this opportunity to congratulate The @AroElegushi, Chief Lekan Bakare, and Oba Elegushi’s Chiefs-in-Council, for their steadfast contributions to the successful traditional cultural administration of the Ikate Lands and Kingdom.

As His Majesty has so aptly declared: “On Excellence, we shall not fail nor falter”—and indeed, his reign has exemplified that enduring ethos. May Almighty God continue to grant His Majesty wisdom, strength, and divine guidance as he leads his people to even greater heights of prosperity, peace, and progress.

Congratulations, Kabiyesi!
K’ade pe l’ori, ki bata pe l’ese.
Ase yi samodun, ase yi sa to.

#15YearsAKing #ElegushiRoyalFamily
#CelebratingRoyalExcellence #CultureIsContinuous
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It was lovely to bump into two wonderful gentlemen music stars Phyno and Flavour in my travels earlier this week, and to wish them continued successes in their diversely beautiful crafted arts and ministries of sound, which include gospel songs of praise.

Phyno, a renowned Nigerian rapper, singer and producer has been making waves in the music industry with his unique blend of hip-hop, R&B, Afro-Beat, and Igbo highlife, incorporating his indigenous Igbo language, making him a proud representative of Nigerian culture; while Flavour, a Nigerian singer and songwriter, with a soulful voice and captivating stage presence, remains one of the most popular and influential musicians in Nigeria and beyond.

One of my favourite tunes, ‘Fada Fada (Ghetto Gospel)’ is a celebrated track by Phyno featuring the renowned rapper and versatile musician @Olamide, released in 2016. Produced by Masterkraft, the song blends Yoruba and Igbo languages expressing gratitude and reflecting on Phyno’s journey from humble beginnings to success. The song achieved significant acclaim winning ‘Song of the year’ at The Headies 2016.

#CultureisContinuous @phynofino @2niteflavour #BuildingBridges #SongsofPraise 🎶 #GratefulforHisGrace
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Yesterday, on the @UnitedNations International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, I joined the @WellbeingAfrica Foundation in reaffirming our collective commitment to the founding values that underpin a just, equitable, and sustainable international order: inclusion, consultation, solidarity, and shared responsibility.

Multilateralism is not merely the presence of many nations; it is a shared political project grounded in cooperation, mutual respect, and a common moral compass. It is through multilateral collaboration that the world has achieved historic health victories, from the eradication of smallpox to the global HIV/AIDS response, and the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which places universal health coverage, maternal and child wellbeing, and resilient health systems at its core.

As we navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world, we must continue to invest in and strengthen multilateral frameworks, ensuring they are responsive, representative, and resilient. From peacekeeping to pandemic preparedness, climate action to community health, it is only through collective action that we can secure a healthier, safer, and more inclusive future for all.

Let us honour this international day not only in words, but through renewed, sustained partnerships, upholding the spirit of multilateralism as a living practice that protects health, sustains peace, and promotes human dignity for generations to come.

#MultilateralismMatters
#DiplomacyForPeace
#WellbeingForAll
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As World Immunisation Week begins today, from the 24th to 30th of April 2025, under the global theme “Immunisation for All is Humanly Possible,” I reaffirm my longstanding commitment to championing equitable access to life-saving vaccines, as a critical instrument of health security, economic growth, and social justice.

Immunisation remains one of the most impactful and cost-effective public health interventions available. Yet today, Nigeria continues to bear one of the highest burdens of zero-dose children, those who have never received even a single vaccine. These children are not unreachable. They have been unreached, a distinction that demands both precision and purpose in our response.

At the @WellbeingAfrica Foundation, our #MamaCare360 midwives integrate routine immunisation awareness within every antenatal, childbirth, and postnatal touchpoint. This model, rooted in dignity, trust, and maternal confidence, ensures that women and families are empowered to protect their children from preventable disease, from the earliest moments of life.

I welcome the leadership of the World Health Organization @WHO, @UNICEF, @GaviAlliance, and Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency @NPHCDA, whose collective frameworks, including the Zero-Dose Operational Plan, The Big Catch-Up, and the expansion of Primary Health Care revitalisation,  are laying the groundwork for a more resilient and inclusive national immunisation system.

In line with the 50th anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunization, we must now move from delivery to durability, strengthening surveillance, financing, local ownership, and the traceability of every vaccine dose from national stores to the arms of children.

An investment in immunisation yields dividends in human capital development. It enables children to learn, communities to thrive, and countries to grow. Immunisation is not a vertical programme; it is a platform for national prosperity and a fundamental tenet of Universal Health Coverage #UHC.

I will continue to advocate, act, and convene to ensure that no child in Nigeria, or anywhere, is left behind.

#HumanlyPossible
#ThriveThursday 
#WellbeingForAll
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With profound sorrow, we mourn the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. A shepherd of deep humility, compassion, and courageous truth, Pope Francis redefined spiritual leadership for our time, reminding the world that faith must walk hand-in-hand with justice, mercy, health, and care for the most vulnerable.

Through his commitment to the displaced and marginalised, and his prophetic call for climate action, health equity, and interfaith understanding, he lived the Gospel with grace and conviction. His papacy was love made visible, a voice of peace in a fractured world, and a guiding light to all who seek a more just and humane planet.

Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, made history when he was elected pope in 2013 as the first pope from the Americas and the first pope from the Jesuit Order.

As we remember his legacy, may we honour it by continuing the work he so bravely championed: to build bridges, not walls; to uplift every life with wellbeing, dignity and care; and to protect our common home.

Requiescat in pace, Papa Francisco. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of Almighty God, rest in peace. Amen.
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May the glory and the promise of this joyous time of year bring peace and happiness to you and those you hold most dear.

And may Christ, Our Risen Saviour, always be there by your side to bless you most abundantly and be your loving guide.

Grateful for The Glory, and The Promise, of this sacred season!

#Easter #EasterMonday
#ChristosAnesti
#GratefulForHisGrace
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