Vatican Diplomat Meets Tinubu in Abuja, Hints at Papal Visit

A potential visit by Pope Francis to Nigeria in the coming years was hinted at by Cardinal Carlo Maria Gabriella, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, following a meeting with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

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We have had a constant presence of the Nuncio over the years and visits from several of the Holy Fathers, and who knows, maybe in a few years’ time Pope Leo will come to visit Nigeria as well. But that’s all for the future.

Cardinal Gallagher, often referred to as the Holy See's foreign minister, met with President Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa on Saturday. He shared the possibility of Pope Francis visiting Nigeria, stating, "who knows, maybe in a few years’ time Pope Leo will come to visit Nigeria as well. But that’s all for the future."

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The President has graciously received me this evening. We had a very nice meeting, a very good meeting.

The meeting underscored the strong and healthy bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the Holy See. Cardinal Gallagher noted Nigeria's recent appointment of Paul Adikwu as its ambassador-designate to the Vatican as a sign of this robust connection. He also highlighted the significant Catholic population in Nigeria, estimated at over 30 million, and the large number of priests and bishops on the continent.

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The relationship is very strong and very healthy, and I was just mentioning that now Nigeria is sending a new ambassador to the Vatican, who is arriving in these days.

Cardinal Gallagher's visit is part of commemorative events leading up to the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See, which was established in 1976. The presence of a substantial Catholic community in Nigeria makes this relationship particularly meaningful.

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We have over 30 million Catholics in Nigeria. We have over 10,000 priests, and Nigeria has the largest number of Catholic bishops in the African continent.