President Bola Tinubu attended the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Pope, at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on May 18, 2025. The Pope, born Robert Francis Prevost, is the first US-born pontiff and leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. Pope Leo XIV called for peace in a world full of conflicts and defended social justice, emphasizing traditional Catholic values.
“Your nation is dear to me as I worked in the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s,” Pope Leo XIV said, highlighting his connection to Nigeria. President Tinubu’s presence at the inauguration mass signifies Nigeria’s participation in global affairs and interfaith engagement.
Notable Guests Attend the Inauguration Mass
The inauguration mass was attended by several notable guests, including³:
- US Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance: Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio: Rubio, also a Catholic
- Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky: Zelensky memorably met Donald Trump in St. Peter’s Basilica at Pope Francis’s funeral
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz: Merz was among the European leaders in attendance
- Peruvian President Dina Boluarte: Boluarte attended the mass, given Pope Leo XIV’s connection to Peru
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
- Israeli President Isaac Herzog
- Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro
- European Royals: Including Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, and Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Princess Charlene
- President Bola Tinubu: Representing Nigeria and solidifying diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the Vatican
Tradition and Symbolism
The inauguration mass featured traditional ceremonies rooted in Catholic heritage, including a procession that emphasized Pope Leo XIV’s role as a successor to St. Peter. The ceremony included the presentation of the fisherman’s ring, the pallium, and the book of Gospels, symbolizing his duties as leader of the Catholic Church.