Tinubu returns to Abuja After attending Pope Leo’s Inauguration in Rome

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Abuja after a three-day official visit to Rome, Italy, where he attended the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected head of the Roman Catholic Church.

The presidential aircraft touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at exactly 7:00pm on Tuesday. On hand to receive the President were top government officials, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

President Tinubu departed Abuja on Saturday, May 17, following an invitation from the Vatican for the historic event marking the installation of Pope Leo XIV as the 267th Pontiff and Bishop of Rome.

Upon his arrival in Rome, the Nigerian leader was hosted to a dinner by His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, where he reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue, religious tolerance, and global cooperation.

At the Vatican on Sunday, President Tinubu joined world leaders inside St. Peter’s Basilica for the solemn mass inaugurating Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate. He also exchanged warm pleasantries with the new pope, who was formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago-born Augustinian.

The President’s interface with Pope Leo XIV forms part of his ongoing diplomatic engagements aimed at promoting peace, unity, and religious harmony across nations.