President Bola Tinubu will be among global dignitaries attending the historic inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in Rome this Sunday, following an invitation from the Vatican.
This was confirmed in an official announcement by Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, who noted that the Nigerian leader would depart for Italy on Saturday.
The president’s visit aligns with the formal commencement of the papacy of Pope Leo XIV, the new Bishop of Rome and successor to the late Pope Francis.
A high mass marking the occasion will be held at the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Leo XIV, through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, personally requested Tinubu’s presence at what he described as a crucial moment for the global church.
The new pontiff expressed a personal connection to Nigeria, citing his diplomatic assignment in Lagos during the 1980s.
President Tinubu will be joined by several prominent Nigerians, including Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and leading figures of the Catholic Church in Nigeria: Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, Archbishop Alfred Martins, and Bishop Matthew Kukah.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was elected pontiff nearly four weeks after Pope Francis passed away on April 21.
His investiture on May 18 will make him the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
President Tinubu is scheduled to return to Nigeria on Tuesday, May 20, after participating in the global religious event.