President Bola Tinubu will travel to Rome, Italy, on Saturday to attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, following an invitation from the new pontiff.
The Vatican will hold the ceremony for the new Pope on May 18 at St. Peter’s Square, marking the start of his leadership as the 267th Bishop of Rome.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin sent the invitation on behalf of Pope Leo XIV, highlighting how President Tinubu’s attendance matters during this significant moment for the Catholic Church, especially with many conflicts happening around the world.
President Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, stated that this visit demonstrates the strong relationship between Nigeria and the Vatican.
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“In the Papal invitation sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Leo XIV underscored the need for President Tinubu’s physical presence ‘at this moment of particular importance for the Catholic Church and the world afflicted by many tensions and conflicts,” the statement reads.
“Pope Leo further stressed: ‘Your great nation is particularly dear to me as I worked in the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s.’
“President Tinubu’s entourage includes the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Archbishop of Owerri and President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, and Alfred Martins of Lagos.”
Cardinals elected Pope Leo XIV on May 8 after a brief voting process. He makes history as the first American Pope to lead the Catholic Church.
During the week-long inauguration events, the Pope will meet with world leaders, cardinals, journalists, and diplomats.
