President Tinubu Says He Looks Forward to Welcoming Pope Leo XIV to Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has expressed his desire to host Pope Leo XIV in Nigeria, describing the Pontiff’s global peace efforts as vital at a time when the world is in need of strong moral and spiritual leadership.

The President made the remarks 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. The meeting formed part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See.

Reflecting on his recent visit to the Vatican for the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, Tinubu said it was a historic occasion and praised the Pope’s commitment to promoting peace and unity across the globe.

“I appreciate the Pope. It was an honour for me to lead the Nigerian delegation to his inauguration. It was a moment of history. I have seen his efforts to promote peace around the world, and we need his spiritual engagement at a time when millions look up to him for guidance. I look forward to receiving him in Nigeria,” the President said.

Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with the Catholic Church, acknowledging the Church’s long-standing contributions to education, healthcare and humanitarian services across Nigeria. He recalled that as Governor of Lagos State, he supported the return of mission schools to their original religious owners after years of government control.

According to the President, the Catholic Church has remained an important partner in national development, particularly through its investments in education and social welfare, which continue to benefit millions of Nigerians.

The President further emphasized that his administration would continue working closely with religious leaders from all faiths to promote peace, tolerance and national unity. He urged Catholic bishops and other religious leaders to sustain their efforts in preaching harmony and peaceful coexistence.

“My administration will continue to support religious harmony among all faiths. Our bishops and religious leaders have done tremendous work, and I encourage them to continue promoting peace and tolerance because our nation can never have too much of either,” he stated.

Addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, Tinubu rejected claims that the country’s conflicts were primarily driven by religion. He pointed to his own family as an example of religious harmony, noting that his wife serves as a pastor in an evangelical church.

The President explained that the government had intensified military operations, strengthened surveillance in vulnerable areas and increased investments in youth empowerment to reduce the risk of radicalisation and recruitment by extremist groups. He acknowledged that while significant progress had been made, isolated security incidents could sometimes overshadow those achievements.

Archbishop Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s attendance at the papal inauguration and described Nigeria as a key nation for the Catholic Church in Africa. He commended the Nigerian government’s efforts to promote peace and maintain a productive relationship with the Church.

The Vatican diplomat also praised the growth of Veritas University in Abuja and thanked the Nigerian government for its continued support, including facilitating visas for Catholic bishops and responding positively to the Church’s administrative needs.

Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming ambassador to the Holy See in the coming weeks and assured him that the visit marked the beginning of closer engagements between Nigeria and the Vatican.

Before becoming Pope in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times in his previous role as the global leader of the Augustinian Catholic Order, further strengthening his longstanding ties with the country. Tinubu’s remarks underscore Nigeria’s intention to deepen diplomatic and religious relations with the Vatican while reinforcing the government’s commitment to promoting peace, religious tolerance and national unity.