President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will join global leaders in Rome, Italy for Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration as the 267th Bishop of Rome and spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday, May 17, 2025 for Rome ahead of the inauguration.
Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration mass is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square.
This marks the formal beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate, following his election on May 8, 2025, as the first American-born pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost.
Tinubu’s attendance at Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration was confirmed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The senior presidential aide noted that the Nigerian leader will depart Abuja for Rome at the personal invitation of Pope Leo XIV.
Tinubu’s entourage will include prominent Nigerian Catholic leaders, such as Archbishop Lucius Ugorji of Owerri, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, and Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos, alongside the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
The statement reads in part: “Accompanied by top Catholic leaders, President Tinubu will attend a solemn mass marking the beginning of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome and the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
“President Tinubu’s entourage includes 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 in the president’s entourage.”
Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration is expected to be a global spectacle, with heads of state, religious leaders, and thousands of pilgrims converging in Vatican City.
The ceremony will feature the presentation of the fisherman’s ring and the pallium, symbols of the pope’s authority, and a homily delivered by Pope Leo XIV in the presence of international dignitaries.
This comes as Pope Leo XIV was elected on May 8 2025 by the Conclave of Cardinals.
His election comes 27 days after his predecessor, Pope Francis, died on April 21.
