● Luca Benedetti
ROME – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is in Rome to attend the inauguration Mass of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, which is scheduled to take place later today at St. Peter’s Basilica. The visit marks a historic moment, as Tinubu, a Muslim leader of Africa’s most populous nation, participates in a major Christian liturgical event, demonstrating Nigeria’s commitment to interfaith harmony and global solidarity.
Ahead of the Mass, President Tinubu was warmly received and hosted to dinner by His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State. In a statement released from Rome, Tinubu described the engagement as being marked by “a spirit of fraternity and a shared vision for the future,” with discussions focusing on common values such as peace, mutual respect, and cooperation.
“Nigeria deeply appreciates the Vatican’s longstanding goodwill and support,” President Tinubu said. “We reaffirm our commitment to promoting interfaith dialogue, tolerance, and cooperation in an increasingly polarised world.” He emphasized that Nigeria remains a nation open to friendship, grounded in faith, and eager to build bridges across religious and cultural divides.
The significance of Tinubu’s attendance as a Muslim leader has not gone unnoticed. Religious scholars and diplomats see it as a powerful gesture of unity. “This is a remarkable expression of Nigeria’s religious inclusiveness,” said Rev. Fr. Geral Ani PhD, a Catholic priest based in Switzerland. “It sends a clear message that peaceful coexistence is possible when leaders lead by example.”
His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State (R) and President Tinubu of Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Holy See, His Excellency Paul Oga Adikwu, praised the visit as a milestone in strengthening Nigeria-Vatican relations. “President Tinubu’s presence at this Mass reflects Nigeria’s strategic moral diplomacy and our country’s importance in global religious and humanitarian conversations,” Adikwu said.
As the world turns its attention to the start of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate, President Tinubu’s participation positions Nigeria as a champion of interfaith collaboration and international peace. It also opens new avenues for partnerships with the Vatican in education, healthcare, and peace-building across Africa and beyond. GMTNewsng
