President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Rome, Italy, on Saturday, May 17, 2025, to attend the historic inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome and new head of the Roman Catholic Church.
The solemn installation ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 18, at the Vatican. President Tinubu’s visit follows a special invitation extended by Pope Leo XIV through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, emphasizing the importance of Nigeria’s presence at this critical moment for the global Catholic community.
Upon arrival at Mario De Bernardo Military Airport around 6 p.m. local time, President Tinubu was warmly welcomed by Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, as well as senior officials from Vatican City and the Nigerian Embassy in Rome.
In his invitation, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the symbolic significance of Nigeria’s participation, citing his personal connection to the country, where he once served in the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s.
Accompanying President Tinubu to the Vatican are top Catholic clerics from Nigeria, including:
- Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and Archbishop of Owerri
- Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja
- Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins of Lagos
- Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese
The Nigerian delegation’s attendance underscores the nation’s diplomatic and religious ties with the Vatican and reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to interfaith harmony and global peace.
