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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Vatican envoy meets Tinubu, hints at Pope’s Nigeria visit

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A Vatican envoy hinted at a potential visit by Pope Leo XIV to Nigeria in the coming years.
  • The visit would follow the strengthening of Nigeria-Holy See diplomatic relations, marked by Nigeria's appointment of a new ambassador.
  • President Tinubu expressed Nigeria's eagerness to host the Pope, emphasizing his role in promoting global peace.

Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, suggested that Pope Leo XIV might visit Nigeria in the future. Gallagher revealed this possibility to journalists after a meeting with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

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.

— Arch. Paul GallagherThe Vatican's foreign minister hinted at a potential papal visit to Nigeria during a press briefing after meeting President Tinubu.

"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," Gallagher stated. He noted that the Pope, prior to his election in May 2025, had visited Nigeria nine times in various capacities within the Catholic Church.

Gallagher described his visit as part of commemorative engagements ahead of the 50th anniversary of Nigeria-Holy See diplomatic relations. He cited President Tinubu's recent appointment of Paul Adikwu as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to the Holy See as evidence of a strong bilateral relationship. "The President has graciously received me this evening. We had a very nice meeting, very good meeting," Gallagher said.

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

— Arch. Paul GallagherGallagher commented on the positive reception and the strong bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the Holy See.

President Tinubu conveyed Nigeria's anticipation of hosting the Pope, highlighting the spiritual leader's importance in a time of global need for peace. "I see his efforts all over the world to promote world peace. We need his spiritual engagement, as millions around the world look up to him. I look forward to receiving him in Nigeria," Tinubu was quoted as saying in a statement.

I see his efforts all over the world to promote world peace. We need his spiritual engagement, as millions around the world look up to him. I look forward to receiving him in Nigeria.

— President Bola TinubuTinubu expressed his desire to host the Pope, emphasizing his global influence on peace.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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