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| Tinubu meets Pope Leo XIV in Rome |
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu joined global leaders at St. Peter’s Square on May 18, 2025, for Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass. The new pontiff, born Robert Francis Prevost, became the first American pope and the 267th Bishop of Rome. Around 200,000 attendees filled the square as Leo called for unity within the Church and pledged to honor key social justice causes begun under Pope Francis .
Invited by the pope, President Tinubu—Nigeria’s Muslim leader—made history by standing beside Christian and political figures. He described Nigeria as “particularly dear” to Leo, who served in Lagos in the 1980s. Tinubu said the event reinforced his message that “unity in diversity” must guide Nigeria’s future. He added, “We have to continue to work on it—it’s a work in progress for our country and continent” .
A warm exchange captured headlines when Tinubu met opposition figures Peter Obi and Kayode Fayemi. According to presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, Fayemi quipped, “Welcome to our church,” prompting Tinubu’s quick reply, “I’m the head of the delegation” . This light moment underscored a rare show of unity among Nigeria’s leaders on the world stage.
After the Mass, Tinubu met Catholic Bishops’ Conference members led by Archbishop Lucius Ugorji. Ugorji thanked the president for his solidarity and invited him to future conferences in Nigeria. Tinubu’s presence, his spokesmen noted, sent a strong message of interfaith respect—his cabinet is 62 percent Christian—challenging stereotypes of sectarian strife at home .
Experts say Tinubu’s Vatican visit reflects broader hopes and hurdles. Nigeria’s mix of over 250 ethnic groups and multiple faiths fuels both rich culture and tension. Political analyst Aisha Bello notes that “symbolic acts matter, but real unity needs improved education, fair governance, and economic opportunity.” Civil society groups point out rising security challenges in the north and calls for constitutional reform to balance power among states.
On the world stage, Pope Leo urged global leaders to pursue peace in Ukraine and Gaza. He also vowed not to rule as an autocrat but to bridge conservative and progressive factions in the Church . Tinubu’s alignment with these calls links Nigeria’s domestic unity quest to wider efforts for global harmony.
Nigeria now returns from Rome with fresh momentum. Observers say maintaining dialogue between faiths at home will test Tinubu’s pledge. As Leo begins his pontificate, both Vatican and Abuja face the task of turning hopeful words into lasting progress. The journey toward unity in diversity remains at its start—and Nigeria may yet lead by example.
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