Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, has shed light on why President Bola Tinubu received a special invitation to Rome from Pope Leo XIV.
According to LMSINT MEDIA, President Tinubu departed Abuja for Rome on Saturday, honoring a personal invitation from Pope Leo XIV, the current leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
President Tinubu’s visit coincides with the inaugural mass celebrating the beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s Papacy as the 267th Bishop of Rome. He was accompanied by top figures in Nigeria’s Catholic community.
The formal invitation, issued by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, emphasized the need for Tinubu’s presence at this significant religious ceremony.
LMSINT MEDIA also reported that prior to becoming widely recognized at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV — formerly known as Robert Prevost — served as Prior General of the Augustinian Order from 2001 to 2013 and had visited Nigeria on nine occasions.
Even after concluding his role as Prior General, Prevost maintained a strong relationship with Nigeria. Notably, in 2016, while he was Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, he was invited to Abuja for the Mid-Chapter Assembly of the Nigerian Augustinian Order.
Before his elevation to the Papacy, Cardinal Prevost had plans to return to Nigeria in July for the ordination of new priests within the Augustinian community.
Bianca Ojukwu, who appeared live on NTA Weekend File from Rome shortly after Tinubu arrived, explained that the Pope’s long-standing relationship with Nigeria significantly influenced the decision to invite President Tinubu in person.
She highlighted Pope Leo XIV’s familiarity with Nigeria, noting that he has firsthand knowledge of the streets and chapels in cities like Abuja and Maiduguri. Additionally, she emphasized Nigeria’s position as one of the fastest-growing Catholic populations globally.
Discussing the potential diplomatic value of the Papal invitation, Ojukwu stated that Pope Leo XIV’s relationship with Nigeria could strengthen ties between the Vatican and the West African country.
“As the spiritual leader of over 1.4 billion Catholics globally, Pope Leo XIV acknowledges the turbulence in today’s world,” she said. “His leadership can contribute to a new world order rooted in peace and stability — something Nigeria’s Catholic population deeply values.”
Ojukwu also appreciated the recognition Nigeria received from the Papacy, highlighting its role as Africa’s most populous country and an influential player in promoting peace and religious harmony.
She further remarked on the symbolic importance of President Tinubu — a Muslim — attending a Catholic mass, indicating his inclusive leadership style.
“It’s quite telling that despite being a Muslim, the President accepted the invitation to participate in the Pontifical mass. It reflects his commitment to unity and his role as a leader for all Nigerians, regardless of faith,” she concluded.
Among those who traveled with Tinubu were Archbishop Lucius Ugorji of Owerri, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria; Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja; Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos; and Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese.
Related News:
Learn more about Pope Leo XIV on Britannica
- The rise of Catholicism in Nigeria
- Tinubu’s recent international visits
- Meet the Catholic Bishops accompanying Tinubu
- Bianca Ojukwu’s diplomatic insights
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