Nigerian President Bola Tinubu To Attend Pope Leo XIV’s Inauguration In Rome.
In a significant diplomatic and religious engagement, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja for Rome, Italy, this Saturday, 17 May 2025, to attend the inauguration of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected head of the Roman Catholic Church. The invitation, extended by the Vatican, underscores the global importance of the event and Nigeria’s prominent role on the world stage.
According to a statement released by the Presidency, President Tinubu will join world leaders and Catholic dignitaries at a solemn mass in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, on Sunday, 18 May, marking the formal installation of Pope Leo XIV as the 267th Bishop of Rome. The statement highlighted the personal nature of the invitation, with Cardinal Pietro Parolin conveying Pope Leo XIV’s request for President Tinubu’s presence at this historic moment. The Pope noted, “Your great nation is particularly dear to me as I worked in the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s,” reflecting his deep connection to Nigeria.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected on 8 May 2025, just 27 days after the passing of his predecessor, Pope Francis, on 21 April. As the first American pontiff, his election has drawn global attention, with his inauguration expected to address pressing issues facing the Catholic Church and a world “afflicted by many tensions and conflicts,” as stated in the papal invitation.
President Tinubu will be accompanied by a distinguished entourage, including Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and several prominent Nigerian Catholic leaders. Among them are Archbishop Lucius Ugorji of Owerri, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria; Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja; Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos; and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto Diocese. Their presence underscores the significance of the event for Nigeria’s Catholic community, which forms a substantial portion of the country’s population.
The visit is expected to strengthen ties between Nigeria and the Vatican, building on a history of mutual respect and collaboration. Pope Leo XIV’s prior experience in Nigeria and his emphasis on global unity are likely to resonate with President Tinubu’s administration, which has prioritised international partnerships to address economic and security challenges.
President Tinubu is scheduled to return to Abuja on Tuesday, 20 May 2025, following the conclusion of the inauguration ceremonies. The Presidency has expressed its gratitude for the honour of the invitation, noting that the visit reflects Nigeria’s commitment to fostering peace and cooperation on a global scale.
This historic trip marks a moment of pride for Nigeria, as its leader joins the international community in celebrating the dawn of a new pontificate under Pope Leo XIV’s leadership.
