President Tinubu Arrives in Rome for Installation of Pope Leo XIV as New

Rome, Italy – May 17, 2025 — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Rome, Italy, to attend the official installation mass for His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome and new leader of the Roman Catholic Church. According to a State House press release, President Tinubu’s visit underscores Nigeria’s commitment to international religious diplomacy and interfaith cooperation.

The installation mass is scheduled to take place at St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday, May 18, 2025, marking the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, the new spiritual leader for Catholics worldwide.

President Tinubu’s aircraft landed at Mario De Bernardo Military Airport at 6:00 p.m. local time on Saturday. He was received by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, as well as top officials from Vatican City and the Nigerian Embassy in Rome, the statement said.

The visit follows an invitation extended to President Tinubu by Pope Leo XIV, conveyed through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State. The Papal invitation, as detailed in the State House press release, highlighted the importance of the President’s presence at “this moment of particular importance for the Catholic Church and the world afflicted by many tensions and conflicts.”

In his message, Pope Leo XIV also referenced 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.”

Nigerian Delegation at the Vatican

President Tinubu is joined by a distinguished Nigerian delegation, including:

Archbishop Lucius Ugorji (Archbishop of Owerri and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria)
Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama (Archbishop of Abuja)
Archbishop Alfred Martins (Archbishop of Lagos)
Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese)

Their presence underscores the significance of this event for Nigeria’s Catholic community and the nation’s strong ties with the Vatican.

Nigeria’s Role on the Global Stage

According to the State House press release signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu’s participation in the papal inauguration is a testament to Nigeria’s rising global profile and its dedication to promoting peace, religious tolerance, and diplomatic engagement.

As world leaders gather in Rome for the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, expectations are high for a papacy focused on dialogue, global peace, and spiritual leadership.

This story will be updated as new information emerges from the Vatican.

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