Heavenly Endorsement? Bianca Explains Why Pope Leo XIV Preferred Tinubu To Other World Leaders

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has shed light on why President Bola Tinubu was invited to Rome by Pope Leo XIV.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

On Saturday, President Tinubu left Abuja for Rome, Italy, responding to an invitation from Pope Leo XIV. He was accompanied by prominent Catholic leaders to attend a solemn mass marking the beginning of the pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome and the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

The invitation, sent through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, emphasized the importance of President Tinubu’s personal attendance at this historic event.

Long before becoming Pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost—formerly Prior General of the Augustinian Order from 2001 to 2013—visited Nigeria nine times and maintained strong ties with the country after his tenure. In 2016, while serving as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, he was invited to Abuja for the Mid-Chapter Assembly of Nigerian Augustinians. Prior to his papacy, Cardinal Prevost was also expected in Nigeria in July this year for the ordination of new priests within the Augustinian order.

Speaking on NTA Weekend File from Rome soon after President Tinubu’s arrival, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted that it is this longstanding connection between Pope Leo XIV and Nigeria that prompted the Pope to specifically request the Nigerian President’s presence.

She noted that Nigeria has one of the fastest-growing Catholic populations globally, and Pope Leo XIV is well acquainted with Nigeria, having a deep understanding of the communities in Abuja and Maiduguri.

On the significance of the Papal invitation and how President Tinubu’s presence could strengthen relations between Nigeria and the Vatican, Mrs. Ojukwu stated, “The new pontiff is the spiritual leader of over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. As he mentioned, we live in a world filled with tensions, conflicts, and unrest.

“Nigeria’s Catholic community recognizes the stabilizing influence the pontiff will bring to the New World Order.

“We appreciate that he regards Nigeria as a crucial nation in Africa, given it is the continent’s most populous country.

“With President Tinubu’s foreign policy focus on promoting peace across Africa and fostering religious tolerance within Nigeria, it is especially meaningful that, as a Muslim, he accepted the invitation to participate in the Pontifical mass.

“This speaks volumes about his commitment to being a leader for all Nigerians, regardless of their faith or religious background.”

President Tinubu was accompanied by 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 Kukah of Sokoto Diocese.