President Bola Tinubu arrived in Rome, Italy, on Saturday to join fellow world leaders at a solemn mass to commemorate the beginning of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome and new leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The installation mass is scheduled for Sunday, May 18.

Upon arrival at the Mario De Bernardo Military Airport, President Tinubu was warmly welcomed by Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, along with officials from Vatican City and the Nigerian Embassy. The plane touched down at 6 pm local time.

The visit follows a gracious invitation extended to President Tinubu by Pope Leo XIV through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State. The papal invitation emphasized the importance of the President’s presence, stating: “This moment is of particular significance for the Catholic Church and for a world grappling with numerous tensions and conflicts.”

Pope Leo XIV, who previously served at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s, expressed a heartfelt connection to Nigeria, describing it as a nation particularly dear to him.

Accompanying President Tinubu on this significant trip are notable figures within the Catholic community, including Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria; Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja; Alfred Martins of Lagos; and Mathew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese.

Their presence will further signify Nigeria’s commitment to fostering relations with the Vatican and highlighting the nation’s role within the global Catholic community.