President Tinubu Meets Pope Leo XIV After Inauguration Mass in Rom
Vatican City – May 19, 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday met briefly with the newly installed leader of the Roman Catholic Church, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, following the pontiff’s inauguration mass at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
The historic encounter took place as the U.S.-born Pope Leo XIV greeted world leaders who attended the mass, his first official public event since ascending to the papacy.
President Tinubu exchanged a handshake and a few words with the Pope before moving on. While details of their conversation were not disclosed, sources at the event described the moment as cordial and symbolic of growing interfaith diplomacy.
Also in attendance were prominent international dignitaries, including U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who similarly held brief personal moments with the new pontiff.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal John Matteo Sullivan of Ohio, succeeds Pope Francis as the 268th Bishop of Rome and spiritual head of over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide. His election earlier this month was hailed as a nod to continuity and reform within the global Church.
President Tinubu’s presence at the ceremony underscores Nigeria’s longstanding diplomatic and religious ties with the Vatican, home to one of the world’s most influential religious institutions.
Pope Leo XIV, Bola Tinubu, Vatican inauguration, Catholic Church, interfaith diplomacy, St. Peter’s Square, world leaders, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Zelensk
