Nigeria at Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration mass, a signal for peace?
In his invitation letter to President Tinubu asking him to visit Rome for his inauguratiom mass, Pope Leo XIV emphasised Nigeria’s significance to him personally and to the Catholic Church.
On 18 May 2025, the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stood among world leaders at St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, witnessing the historic inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, one seeking peace for the entire globe.
His attendance at the solemn mass marking the beginning of the Pope’s pontificate was not just a ceremonial gesture—it was a testament to Nigeria’s growing diplomatic and religious significance on the global stage.
While President Tinubu’s presence was widely covered, reports remain unclear on whether other African heads of state attended the event. However, the attendance alone underscores his country’s unique relationship with the Vatican.
The invitation extended to Tinubu highlights Nigeria’s importance within the Catholic Church, particularly given its 29 million worshippers, one of the largest Catholic populations in Africa.
Pope Leo XIV’s connection to Africa’s most populous nation predates his papacy. As Cardinal Robert Prevost, he visited the southern part of the country in 2016, engaging with the Augustinian Order and strengthening ties with the local Catholic community.
His familiarity with Nigeria’s religious landscape suggests a deep appreciation for the country’s role in Catholicism’s expansion across Africa.
The Vatican’s invitation to Tinubu reflects this longstanding relationship. Nigeria’s Catholic community has flourished over the years, producing influential clergy like Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto diocese in the north and fostering interfaith dialogue.
Even more, the Pope’s decision to personally welcome Tinubu possibly points to the Church’s recognition of Nigeria’s spiritual and geopolitical relevance.
Tinubu’s reflections on his visit
In a statement posted on his X profile in the afternoon, Tinubu expressed gratitude for the Vatican’s warm reception and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to interfaith dialogue, tolerance, and global solidarity. His arrival in Rome yesterday, 17 May 2025, was met with anticipation, and his meeting with Pope Leo XIV on inauguration day was a moment of diplomatic significance.
Tinubu’s words reflected a leader eager to position Nigeria as a bridge between religious communities. His engagement with Vatican officials, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin, emphasised Nigeria’s role in fostering peace and cooperation across faiths.
Under Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria has sought to strengthen its global partnerships. His presence at the Vatican not only underscores diplomatic reach, aiming beyond political alliances, but it also highlights Nigeria’s influence in religious affairs.
Confirming what privilege he had, the president wrote: Today, at the Vatican, upon the personal invitation of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, I joined world leaders and millions of Catholics in witnessing the beginning of a new papacy.
He said that Pope Leo XIV’s humility, history with Nigeria, and message of peace bring to mind what moral leadership should look like at a time when the world is in desperate need of it.
As a nation of deep faith and great diversity, Mr. Tinubu adds, Nigeria remains committed to building bridges across belief, race, and continent—for peace, for progress, and for all of humanity.
Timeline of events
President Bola Tinubu arrived in Rome on 17 May, touching down at Maria De Bernado Military Airport in preparation for the installation mass of Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome. His arrival was met with anticipation, as he was among the select world leaders invited to witness the historic event.
The next day, 18 May, Tinubu attended the inauguration mass at St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, where Pope Leo XIV officially assumed his role as the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
In a surprising departure from his usual traditional attire, Tinubu opted for a blue suit, a choice that sparked conversation among observers.
Following the mass, Tinubu had a brief but symbolic exchange with Pope Leo XIV. As they shook hands, the Nigerian president expressed his congratulations, while the Pope acknowledged Nigeria’s deep-rooted Catholic community and its role in fostering interfaith dialogue.
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Other dignitaries, including U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, also greeted the Pope during the post-mass interactions.
President Bola Tinubu’s entourage for Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration included several notable figures from Nigeria’s government and Catholic leadership. Among them were Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
And for the priests was Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, who is the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). He was joined by Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, the Archbishop of Abuja; Archbishop Alfred Martins, the Archbishop of Lagos and most notably, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah.
In his invitation letter to President Tinubu, Pope Leo XIV emphasised Nigeria’s significance to him personally and to the Catholic Church. He recalled his time serving in the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s, stating that Nigeria remained a nation particularly dear to me.
The Pope also highlighted the importance of Tinubu’s presence at the inauguration, given the global tensions and conflicts affecting the world.
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Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.
