On Sunday, May 18, 2025, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu attended the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. Following the ceremony, Bola Tinubu had a brief and cordial exchange with the newly installed pontiff, shaking hands and sharing a few words.

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, is the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church and the first American-born pope. In his inaugural address, he emphasized themes of unity, compassion, and ecological justice, calling for an end to exploitation and marginalization of the poor.

The event was attended by several world leaders, including U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. President Tinubu's presence underscores Nigeria's commitment to fostering strong diplomatic and interfaith relations with the Vatican.