President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday for Rome, Italy, to attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected head of the Roman Catholic Church.
The visit, confirmed by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, follows an invitation from the Vatican, with the installation mass scheduled for Sunday, May 18, at St. Peter’s Square. Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected 27 days after the passing of Pope Francis on April 21. This marks the start of his tenure as the 267th Bishop of Rome.
The Vatican, through Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, highlighted the importance of Tinubu’s attendance, citing the global significance of the transition amid widespread geopolitical tensions. Pope Leo XIV also noted a personal connection to Nigeria, having served in Lagos during the 1980s.
President Tinubu will lead a Nigerian delegation including:
- Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
- Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria
- Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja
- Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos
- Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto
President Tinubu is scheduled to return to Abuja on Tuesday, May 20.
