President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to depart Abuja on Saturday for Rome, Italy, following an official invitation from the Vatican to attend the inauguration of the newly elected leader of the Roman Catholic Church, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
The President's visit comes in response to a formal invitation extended by the Holy See through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State.
The invitation emphasized the symbolic and diplomatic significance of the presence of President Tinubu at the historic event, described as "a moment of particular importance for the Catholic Church and a world burdened by tensions and conflict."
In a message accompanying the invitation, Pope Leo XIV expressed his personal connection to Nigeria, stating: "Your great nation is particularly dear to me as I worked in the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s."
The Pope highlighted the critical role Nigeria plays in global affairs and the importance of strengthening ties between the Holy See and African nations.
President Tinubu will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior government officials and prominent figures from the Nigerian Catholic community.
His entourage includes the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of Owerri, who also serves as President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria; Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja; and Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins of Lagos.
Also accompanying the President is the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, a respected cleric and advocate for peace and social justice in Nigeria.
The official installation ceremony of Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, will take place on Sunday, May 18, at the iconic St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
The pontifical mass will mark the formal commencement of his papacy as the 267th Bishop of Rome, following his election by the Conclave of Cardinals on May 5—27 days after the passing of his predecessor, Pope Francis, on April 21.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Abuja on Tuesday, May 20, following the conclusion of the inauguration proceedings and other diplomatic engagements during his visit.
This visit marks a significant moment in Nigeria–Vatican relations and underscores the Tinubu administration’s commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue, global peace, and international cooperation.
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