President Bola Tinubu has expressed his desire to welcome Pope Leo XIV to Nigeria, saying the Pontiff’s visit would inspire hope and strengthen global efforts to promote peace.
The President made the remark on Saturday while receiving the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Tinubu recalled leading Nigeria’s delegation to the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, describing the occasion as a historic moment. He praised the Pope’s commitment to promoting peace and said his spiritual leadership was needed at a time when millions of people around the world were looking to him for guidance.
“I look forward to receiving him in Nigeria,” the President said.
The meeting took place as Nigeria and the Holy See marked 50 years of diplomatic relations, a milestone both sides described as significant given Nigeria’s large Catholic population and the Church’s influence across Africa.
Tinubu commended the Catholic Church for its contributions to education, healthcare and humanitarian services in Nigeria, noting that his relationship with the Church dates back to his time as governor of Lagos State, when mission schools were returned to their original owners.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting religious harmony, urging Christian and Muslim leaders to continue encouraging peace, tolerance and unity across the country.
Addressing the country’s security challenges, Tinubu said the violence affecting parts of Nigeria should not be viewed strictly as a religious conflict. He stressed that his government remained committed to protecting freedom of worship while strengthening security operations through increased funding, improved surveillance and investments aimed at preventing young people from being recruited by extremist groups.
Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s attendance at his inauguration and described Nigeria as one of Africa’s most important countries for the Catholic Church. He also commended the government’s efforts to promote peace and security and expressed optimism about stronger cooperation between Nigeria and the Holy See.
The Vatican envoy praised the development of Veritas University in Abuja and thanked the Nigerian government for supporting the Church’s activities, including facilitating visas for Catholic bishops. He also said he looked forward to welcoming Nigeria’s incoming ambassador to the Holy See and expressed confidence that relations between both sides would continue to grow.
Before becoming Pope in 2025, Leo XIV, then Robert Francis Prevost, visited Nigeria several times between 2001 and 2016 in various leadership roles within the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. Although he visited four African countries during his first apostolic trip to the continent in April 2026, Nigeria was not included in the itinerary despite being home to one of Africa’s largest Catholic populations.
