President Bola Tinubu on Sunday joined global dignitaries in Rome, Italy, to witness the official inauguration of Pope Leo XIV as the new head of the Roman Catholic Church at a solemn installation Mass held at St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the beginning of the Pope’s tenure as the 267th Bishop of Rome.
Tinubu’s presence at the Vatican followed a formal invitation extended by the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on behalf of Pope Leo XIV. Upon arrival at Mario De Bernardi Military Airport on Saturday evening, the Nigerian president was welcomed by Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, along with representatives from both the Nigerian Embassy and Vatican City.
A video clip shared by the Nigerian Television Authority showed President Tinubu, in a black suit, suit shirt and a complementary blue tie, arriving at the grand ceremony, joining a congregation of world leaders and religious figures assembled to honour the new pontiff.
The Nigerian delegation accompanying Tinubu included some of the country’s most prominent Catholic clergy, among them Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and Archbishop of Owerri, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos, and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto.
During his homily, Pope Leo XIV laid out a vision for his papacy centred on compassion, environmental stewardship, and advocacy for the marginalised. He warned against continued exploitation of natural resources and the systemic neglect of the poor, urging the global Church to serve as a bridge in a world fractured by division and intolerance.
The occasion attracted notable international figures, including U.S. Vice President Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, underscoring the global significance of the moment. Pope Leo XIV’s message struck a resonant chord, positioning the Catholic Church as a potential force for unity, justice, and moral leadership in uncertain times.
President Tinubu’s participation in the ceremony not only reflected diplomatic solidarity with the Vatican but also highlighted Nigeria’s vibrant Catholic community and its role in global religious affairs.
