Pope Leo XIV Invites Tinubu to Inauguration Mass in Vatican

President Bola Tinubu will travel to Rome on Saturday to attend the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV, following an official invitation from the Vatican.

The invitation, delivered through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, emphasized the importance of Tinubu’s presence at the historic ceremony, marking the beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate as the 267th Bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church.

In his message, Pope Leo XIV expressed a personal connection to Nigeria, recalling his time at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s. “Your great nation is particularly dear to me,” he noted, citing ongoing global conflicts and the Church’s role in promoting peace.

Tinubu will be accompanied by several prominent figures, including Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria; Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja; and Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos. Also in the delegation is Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese.

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, will be formally installed on Sunday, May 18, at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. He was elected 27 days after the death of Pope Francis on April 21.

President Tinubu is expected to return to Abuja on Tuesday, May 20.