Pope Leo XIV Invites Nigerian President, Tinubu to Inauguration Amid Global Uncertainty

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

Independent Newspaper reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been officially invited by Pope Leo XIV to attend his papal inauguration, scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 18, at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. Tinubu will depart Abuja for Rome on Saturday as part of a high-level Nigerian delegation that includes senior Catholic clergy and government officials.

The invitation was extended through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, with the Pope emphasizing the significance of Tinubu’s attendance at a time the Catholic Church and the global community face numerous tensions and conflicts. Pope Leo XIV described Nigeria as “particularly dear” to him, recalling his time serving at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s.

Among those accompanying the president are Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Archbishop Lucius Ugorji of Owerri; Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja; Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos; and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto. Their presence underscores the strong ties between Nigeria’s Catholic community and the Vatican.

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected 27 days after the passing of Pope Francis. His installation will mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Church. President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria on Tuesday, May 20, following the historic ceremony.