President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Saturday depart Abuja for Rome, Italy, to attend the inauguration of the new head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV.
The President’s visit followed an official invitation extended by His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, who is set to begin his pontificate as the 267th Bishop of Rome. The solemn inaugural Mass will take place on Sunday, May 18, at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
In a message conveyed through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Pope underscored the significance of President Tinubu’s attendance, describing it as “important for the Catholic Church and the world afflicted by many tensions and conflicts.” Pope Leo also expressed personal affection for Nigeria, recalling his time in the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s.
President Tinubu will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Archbishop Lucius Ugorji of Owerri, who is also President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria; Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja; and Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos. Also on the entourage is the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah.
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.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Abuja on Tuesday, May 20.
