Pope Leo XIV Invites President Tinubu To His Inauguration In Rome

Pope Leo XIV has extended an invitation to President Tinubu to visit Rome, Italy, for his inauguration ceremony on Sunday, May 18.

The event, which marks the start of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate as the 267th Bishop of Rome, is scheduled to take place at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.

In the invitation sent to the Nigerian president, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, acting on behalf of Pope Leo XIV, highlighted the importance of Tinubu’s “presence at this pivotal moment for the Catholic Church”, amid ongoing global tensions and conflicts.

In a statement released on Thursday, Bayo Onanuga, the president’s spokesperson, noted that the visit reflects the robust diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.

“Your great nation is particularly dear to me as I worked in the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s,” the Pontiff was quoted as saying.

Accompanying President Tinubu are the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Archbishop of Owerri and President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, and Alfred Martins of Lagos.

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah, is also part of the president’s entourage.

Pope Leo XIV, previously known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, will be officially installed in his esteemed role on Sunday, May 18, at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.

The Conclave of Cardinals selected him 27 days following the passing of his predecessor, Pope Francis, on April 21.

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

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli