Why Pope Leo XIV Chose President Tinubu for Special Invitation to Rome – Bianca Ojukwu

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has shed light on why Pope Leo XIV specifically invited President Bola Tinubu to Rome. President Tinubu traveled to the Italian capital to attend a solemn mass marking the beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate, alongside prominent Catholic leaders from Nigeria. The invitation, delivered by Cardinal Pietro Parolin on behalf of the Pope, emphasized the importance of President Tinubu’s physical presence at the event.

Bianca Ojukwu explained that the new Pope’s connection to Nigeria played a key role in the invitation. Before becoming Pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost—now Pope Leo XIV—maintained strong ties with Nigeria, having visited the country multiple times during his tenure as Prior General of the Augustinian Order. He also participated in significant religious events in Nigeria, strengthening his bond with the nation’s Catholic community.

Mrs. Ojukwu highlighted that Nigeria’s Catholic population is among the fastest-growing in the world, and Pope Leo XIV is well acquainted with Nigerian cities such as Abuja and Maiduguri. She pointed out that the Pope’s invitation and President Tinubu’s presence present an opportunity to strengthen relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.

She emphasized the Pope’s global spiritual leadership over 1.4 billion Catholics and his potential to bring stability amid worldwide tensions. Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country, holds strategic importance to the Vatican, especially under President Tinubu’s foreign policy focus on peace and religious tolerance. Notably, Tinubu, a Muslim, attending the Catholic Pontifical mass underscores his commitment to representing all Nigerians regardless of religion.

President Tinubu was accompanied in Rome by key Catholic leaders, including Archbishop Lucius Ugorji of Owerri, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos, and Bishop Matthew Kukah of Sokoto Diocese.