The Traffic

Tinubu Touches Down in Abuja After Attending Historic Inauguration of Pope Leo XIV

By Achimi Muktar

In a rare moment of global religious and political intersection, President Bola Tinubu returned to Abuja on Tuesday evening after witnessing the historic inauguration of Pope Leo XIV—the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church—at the Vatican in Rome.

Touching down at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport around 6:50 p.m., Tinubu was warmly received by senior government officials, marking the end of what he described as a “deeply symbolic and unifying experience.”

“It’s historic,” the president said. “Being the leader of Nigeria during the inauguration of a new pope is something I’ll always hold dear. It was a reminder of the power of faith and the responsibility of leadership.”

While in Rome, President Tinubu attended the inaugural mass for Pope Leo XIV and held a private audience with members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria. He used the occasion to deliver a message of national unity and cooperation, urging Nigerian leaders across religious and ethnic divides to work together for the nation’s progress.

“If we use our diversity not for adversity but for prosperity, then Nigeria’s future is one of stability and greatness,” Tinubu told the bishops.

The bishops, in turn, formed part of Tinubu’s official delegation to the Vatican ceremony, showcasing Nigeria’s strong ties with the global Catholic community and signaling the administration’s commitment to interfaith dialogue and diplomacy.

Tinubu’s presence at such a significant religious event has sparked widespread commentary, with analysts calling it a strategic blend of soft power and spiritual symbolism.

His return marks a continuation of national duties, but his message from Rome remains: unity in diversity, and leadership rooted in shared values.