SOCIAL LISTENING 23 May 2025
What transpired with the Nigerian delegation during the installation of Pope Leo XIV? Social media offers numerous accounts. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, chose to share a first-person narrative.
Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu
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The inside story: How it all went down in Rome
The Vatican has a way of bringing everyone to a standard level. I remember how dazed I was when on my last trip during the Funeral mass of Pope Francis some weeks before, when President Donald Trump had walked into the Basilica and was led to his seat at the square.
Many dignitaries lined up to exchange pleasantries with him, causing a bit of a stir and a crowded scene. To my surprise, a middle-aged prim-looking priest walked up to them and addressed them rather tersely, ‘Scusi, ‘ meaning Excuse me. ‘ This is St Peter’s, not the White House. Kindly take your seats, please.
He didn’t give a hoot who was likely to be offended, but was more concerned that boisterous politicians did not torpedo the order and solemnity of the event.
The Nigerian delegation for the installation mass of Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Square, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arrived early enough, allowing for ample time for exchange of pleasantries.
As we entered, I saw Former Governors Peter Obi and Kayode Fayemi already seated, and I went to greet them after the President was seated.
Being patriotic citizens, they both decided to come up with me to pay their respects to Mr President.
The President graciously received them both in a relaxed and humorous mood, after which they returned to their seats.
Thankfully, no ‘Scusi’ from any ushering priests, unlike the scenario during the Funeral Mass of Pope Francis. Our delegation maintained a nice and orderly atmosphere!
I was therefore taken aback by all the buzz and flak that something as simple as a polite greeting to one’s elder, not to mention President, an intrinsic part of our African culture, generated across social media space with all manner of innuendos and interpretations.
Let’s agree that many people just had the casual urge to create a giant mountain out of a mini mole hill, so let’s let this one chill.
As I mentioned before, the Vatican, most specifically Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, is a leveller. No matter who you are, you are sitting out in that square under the scorching sun. No special luxury tents or canopies for dignitaries. No air conditioners or fans.
People routinely faint and pass out from sunstroke/ heatstroke and have to be evacuated in stretchers or wheelchairs.
The man seated in front of me slumped during the mass. It was Seyi Tinubu who saved the day. The. The bottle of water he had ‘travelled’ to the vestibule to procure was what he then offered to the man, who we were trying to hold from hitting the ground until the emergency medical team arrived with a wheelchair to evacuate him.
What is instructive is that, unlike what has been happening in our recent times, nobody rushed to whip out their phones to record an individual in distress and start posting all over social media. Folks were just busy trying to help stabilise the man.
I found it amazing that President Tinubu effortlessly sat and stood through the entire mass, observing every rite as it should, sans partaking in holy communion for close to three hours under that flaming sun, even declining a sun shield when we offered to search for one.
After the Mass, he chatted and took selfies with several young Nigerian priests and seminarians who came to greet him, refusing to turn any of them away even as his aides felt he needed a break.
The main deal, of course, was the power suit that the President wore to the papal installation ceremony. Many Nigerians who saw him in Rome, who were commonly used to seeing him mostly in our native attire, exclaimed that he looked so dapper and debonair. As he walked with such determination to meet the new pope, it was clear that this was a pivotal moment. A Muslim being present at a historic mass in St Peter’s Basilica, Home of the Catholic Faith; a symbolic demonstration of the values of co-existence and a potent demonstration of the fact that religious differences do not necessarily lead to conflict.
I am pleased to note that my humble phone camera captured some of the most iconic images of that momentous occasion, shown here, despite the severely restricted entry into the venue on that day. It was a stellar outing for Nigeria.
It’s wonderful to be back home.
In those good days, the familiar caption used to scream at the end of those M videos, ‘Clarence shot it!’
On this beat, ‘ Ms B shot it ! ’
Vatican’25 has been a profound experience. I feel truly blessed to partake in these sacred papal events. Veni, Vidi.
