Tinubu meets Pope Leo XIV at Vatican Mass; Appeals for peaceful coexistence among nations at dinner
President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, exchanged warm pleasantries with His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican, during the official mass marking the beginning of the new pontificate.
The symbolic moment came as President Tinubu joined other world leaders and dignitaries in Rome to witness the solemn installation of the new head of the Catholic Church.
President Tinubu, who is on a diplomatic visit to the Vatican, was seen interacting briefly with Pope Leo XIV, in a gesture that reflected mutual respect and global goodwill.
The Nigerian leader’s presence at the historic event underscored his administration’s ongoing commitment to interfaith diplomacy, religious tolerance, and strengthening Nigeria’s ties with the Vatican and the broader global community.
The exchange between President Tinubu and Pope Leo XIV adds to the growing list of international engagements aimed at fostering peace, unity, and cooperation across religious and cultural divides.
Meanwhile, on Saturday night ahead of the solemn Mass marking the beginning of the pontificate of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, the Nigerian leader was hosted in Rome to a dinner by His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State to the Vatican where he reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to promoting global religious tolerance, interfaith dialogue, and peaceful coexistence among nations.
In a statement shared via his verified X handle @officialABAT, President Tinubu described the meeting as one marked by “a spirit of fraternity and a shared vision for the future,” underscoring mutual values of peace, tolerance, and global solidarity.
“I expressed Nigeria’s deep appreciation for the Vatican’s longstanding goodwill and reaffirmed our commitment to promoting interfaith dialogue, tolerance, and cooperation in an increasingly polarised world,” Tinubu stated.
He added: “As always, Nigeria remains a nation open to friendship, grounded in faith, and committed to building bridges of understanding across the world.”
