President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to depart Abuja for Rome, Italy, on Saturday, to attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV as the new head of the Roman Catholic Church.
The development was confirmed in a statement shared via X (formerly Twitter) by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
President Tinubu will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the solemn installation Mass at St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, May 18. The event formally marks the commencement of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected by the Conclave of Cardinals following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. His election took place 27 days after the passing of his predecessor.
The Vatican’s invitation, extended by Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, emphasized the significance of the occasion and the importance of Nigeria’s presence. “This is a moment of particular importance for the Catholic Church and the world, which continues to face numerous tensions and conflicts,” the statement read.
Pope Leo XIV also acknowledged his personal connection to Nigeria, noting: “Your great nation is particularly dear to me, as I served at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s.”
Accompanying President Tinubu are key members of the Nigerian delegation, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria; Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja; Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos; and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Abuja on Tuesday, May 20.
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