President Bola Tinubu on Sunday was one of the numerous guests at the inauguration mass for Pope Leo XIV.
Tinubu met 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and ex-Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi at the Vatican during the installation of Pope Leo XIV.
The trio were among dignitaries who attended the inauguration mass held at St. Peter’s Square in Rome.
Tinubu led Nigeria’s delegation, which also included several Catholic leaders such as Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji of Owerri and Bishop Matthew Kukah of Sokoto.
Obi and Fayemi, both staunch Catholics and Papal Knights, were seen exchanging pleasantries with the President at the ceremony.
The presidential spokesman, Mr Bayo Onanuga shared photos of their meeting on Instagram, along with the context behind it.
According to Onanuga, Fayemi spotted Tinubu seated among world leaders and invited Obi to join him in greeting the President.
“Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence,” Fayemi said.
Tinubu, in a lighthearted response, replied, “I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the Head of the Nigerian Delegation.”
Obi reportedly laughed and said, “Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation.”
Peter Obi also shared pictures from the visit on X, describing the day as “a shared journey of faith.”
He wrote, “Dr. John Kayode Fayemi and I stood once again beneath the majestic dome of St. Peter’s Basilica for the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, evoking memories of our presence here as Governors in 2013 for the inauguration of Pope Francis.”
Obi recalled past visits to the Vatican, including being part of Nigeria’s delegation to the canonisations of Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa. He also referenced his involvement with Scholas Occurrentes, a global initiative founded by Pope Francis to promote education, peace and intercultural dialogue.
“Today’s event was particularly special,” he added, “as it marked the beginning of a new papacy. I exchanged warm greetings with President Bola Tinubu and was pleased to see the diverse gathering of world leaders and pilgrims who came in faith and unity.”
Reflecting on the Pope’s message, Obi said, “What stood out most was the Holy Father’s profoundly moving homily – especially his heartfelt appeal for us to journey together towards God by embracing the poor, the suffering, and the forgotten.”
He prayed for Nigeria and renewed his commitment to championing investment in education, healthcare and poverty alleviation. “A well-educated population is the foundation upon which a just, inclusive, and prosperous nation must be built,” he said.
“A new Nigeria is POssible,” he concluded.
Tinubu arrived in Rome on Saturday for the event, which drew an estimated 200,000 attendees and representatives from over 150 countries.
He was received at the Mario De Bernardo Military Airport by officials of the Vatican and Nigerian embassy, alongside minister of state for foreign affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, became the first American pontiff and the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church.