Tinubu Hosts Vatican Envoy, Eyes Pope Leo XIV Visit to Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has expressed his desire to welcome Pope Leo XIV to Nigeria, saying the country would be honoured to host the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

The President made the remark on Saturday while receiving the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Paul Richard Gallagher, at his residence in Abuja.

The Vatican envoy, who is in Nigeria as part of activities marking 50 years of diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the Holy See, was accompanied to the meeting by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, alongside senior officials of the Apostolic Nunciature.

According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance and harmony among Nigerians, regardless of their faith.

The President said dialogue among religious groups remains one of the most effective tools for addressing the country’s security challenges and strengthening national unity.

Reflecting on his attendance at the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, Tinubu described the occasion as historic and praised the Pontiff’s commitment to promoting peace across the globe.

“I appreciate the Pope. It was an honour for me to lead the Nigerian delegation to his inauguration as Pope Leo XIV. It was a moment of history,” the President said.

“I see his efforts all over the world to promote world peace. We need his spiritual engagement, as millions around the world look up to him. I look forward to receiving him in Nigeria.”

Tinubu also recalled his long-standing relationship with the Catholic Church dating back to his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, noting that he holds the church in high regard for its contributions to education and healthcare.

He explained that this informed his decision to return mission schools to their original religious proprietors after they had been taken over during military rule.

“My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths. Our bishops and religious leaders have been doing a great deal. Please tell them to continue the good work they are doing. Let them continue to preach peace and tolerance,” he said.

The President added that his government remains committed to protecting freedom of worship, pointing out that his wife serves as a pastor in an evangelical church, a reflection of the religious diversity within his own family.

Speaking earlier, Archbishop Gallagher said his visit was to commemorate the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See, describing Nigeria as a country of great importance to the Catholic Church because of its large and vibrant Catholic population.

He conveyed the appreciation of Pope Leo XIV to Tinubu for attending the papal inauguration and commended the Nigerian government for its efforts to restore peace through ongoing security operations.

The Vatican envoy also expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for facilitating visas for Catholic bishops and responding positively to the needs of the Church in Nigeria.

Gallagher said he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s ambassador to the Holy See in the coming weeks, expressing optimism that both sides would continue to deepen diplomatic engagement through more high-level exchanges.