President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday for Rome, Italy, to attend the official inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
The visit comes at the invitation of Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on behalf of the Holy Father, who extended a personal call for Tinubu’s presence at the solemn mass marking the beginning of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome.
According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Vatican emphasized the significance of Tinubu’s attendance, citing global tensions and the Church’s renewed role in fostering peace and unity.
The Pope, who previously served in Nigeria during the 1980s, expressed deep affection for the country, stating, “Your great nation is particularly dear to me as I worked in the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s.”
President Tinubu will be accompanied by a high-profile delegation including Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria; Archbishops Ignatius Kaigama and Alfred Martins, as well as Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto Diocese.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected by the Conclave of Cardinals 27 days after the passing of Pope Francis on April 21. His installation ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 18, at St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria on Tuesday, May 20.
