JUST IN: Tinubu arrives in Rome ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration on Sunday

By Kunle Sanni

President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Rome, Italy, ahead of the official inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 19, 2025.

The Nigerian leader touched down in the Italian capital on Saturday, following his departure from Abuja, following a formal invitation from the Vatican to attend the historic event.

President Tinubu will join other world leaders and dignitaries at a solemn mass marking the beginning of the pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome and the newly elected leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

The visit was confirmed in a statement issued earlier by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who described the invitation as a significant diplomatic gesture and a reflection of Nigeria’s strong ties with the Vatican and the global Catholic community.

The President is accompanied by a delegation that includes top-ranking Nigerian Catholic leaders and senior government officials. His presence at the ceremony underscores Nigeria’s commitment to global religious harmony and interfaith dialogue.

Pope Leo XIV succeeds Pope Francis, becoming the spiritual leader of over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide. The event is expected to draw religious leaders, heads of state, and thousands of faithful from across the globe.