Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed his desire to welcome Pope Leo XIV to Nigeria, extending a formal invitation during a meeting with the Vatican’s top diplomatic representative at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Receiving Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, on Saturday, President Tinubu said he looked forward to hosting the head of the Roman Catholic Church, describing a potential papal visit as a significant milestone for Nigeria.
The meeting underscored the longstanding diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the Holy See, with discussions reportedly centred on promoting peace, strengthening interfaith dialogue, advancing humanitarian cooperation, and addressing security challenges confronting the country and the wider region.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering religious harmony and national unity in Africa’s most populous nation, where Christians and Muslims constitute the country’s two largest faith communities.
A visit by Pope Leo XIV would mark a historic moment for Nigeria, reinforcing the Vatican’s engagement with Africa and highlighting efforts to encourage peaceful coexistence, social justice, and inclusive development.
Archbishop Gallagher’s visit forms part of ongoing diplomatic engagements between the Holy See and Nigeria, reflecting continued collaboration on issues of mutual concern, including peacebuilding, human dignity, and sustainable development.
If accepted, Pope Leo XIV’s visit would be among the most significant diplomatic and religious events hosted by Nigeria in recent years, drawing global attention to the country’s role in promoting dialogue and coexistence across religious and cultural divides.
