President Bola Tinubu met with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican, Rome, on Sunday, shortly after the Pope’s inauguration as the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
The meeting was captured in a video showing the Nigerian President shaking hands with the Pope and having a brief conversation before moving away.
The Pope’s inauguration mass marked the beginning of his pontificate, where he called for an end to the exploitation of nature and the marginalization of the poor.
Pope Leo XIV emphasised traditional Catholic values, including the importance of family built around a “stable union of a man and a woman,” and defended the rights of the unborn.
During his interactions with journalists, clergy, and diplomats, the Pope repeatedly called for peace in a world filled with conflicts and advocated for social justice.
Before becoming Pope, Leo XIV had shown glimpses of his leadership style, including reposting criticisms of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration over its approach to migration.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by world leaders, including U.S. Vice President J.D Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who shook hands with the Pope in St Peter’s Square.
The Pope received the pontifical emblems, including the pallium and the fisherman’s ring, which he would wear until his death.
The meeting between President Tinubu and Pope Leo XIV highlights the diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.
The Pope’s emphasis on social justice and peace may have implications for global policies and relations.
