President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Rome, Italy, to participate in the solemn mass marking the commencement of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome and the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The installation mass took place on May 18.

President Tinubu was welcomed at the Mario De Bernardo Military Airport by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, along with officials from Vatican City and the Nigerian Embassy. The invitation, conveyed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, highlighted the importance of President Tinubu’s presence during a period of global tensions and conflicts. Pope Leo XIV expressed his affinity for Nigeria, recalling his time in the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s.

Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that Pope Leo XIV's connection to Nigeria was a key factor in the invitation extended to President Tinubu. Pope Leo XIV is familiar with Nigeria, possessing knowledge of Abuja and Maiduguri. Nigeria's substantial and rapidly growing Catholic population also contributed to the significance of the invitation. Before becoming Pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost visited Nigeria nine times between 2001 and 2013 when he was the Prior General of the Augustinian Order, and he maintained connections with the country afterwards.

Mrs. Ojukwu emphasized the potential for a strengthened relationship between Nigeria and the Vatican, noting Pope Leo XIV's role as the spiritual leader of over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. She also highlighted the stabilizing influence the Pope is expected to bring to the New World Order, particularly given the current global unrest. She acknowledged Nigeria's importance as Africa's most populous nation and commended President Tinubu's commitment to promoting peace and religious tolerance. Mrs. Ojukwu noted the significance of President Tinubu, a Muslim, accepting the invitation to the Pontifical mass, underscoring his commitment to representing all Nigerians regardless of religious affiliation.

President Tinubu’s delegation included Archbishop Lucius Ugorji of Owerri (President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria), Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos, and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto Diocese.