Vatican Envoy Hints at Pope Leo XIV’s Possible Visit to Nigeria, Tinubu Expresses Hope
President Bola Tinubu has expressed optimism that Pope Leo XIV will visit Nigeria in the coming years as the Vatican also hinted at the possibility of such a historic trip.
The indication came on Saturday after the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, met with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Gallagher said although no plans had been finalised, a visit by Pope Leo XIV to Nigeria in the future remained a possibility.
“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,” he said.
Before his election as Pope in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, visited Nigeria several times as the head of the worldwide Augustinian Order.
According to available records, the Pontiff visited Nigeria at least nine times between 2001 and 2016 as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. During those visits, he travelled to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.
Although Pope Leo embarked on his first apostolic visit to Africa in April 2026, touring Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria was not included despite being home to more than 30 million Catholics, over 10,000 Catholic priests and the largest number of Catholic archbishops on the continent.
Gallagher, who led a Vatican delegation to Abuja, described Nigeria’s recent appointment of Paul Adikwu as ambassador-designate to the Holy See as evidence of the strong diplomatic ties between both parties.
“The President has graciously received me this evening. We had a very nice meeting, a very good meeting.
“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,” he said.
He explained that his visit formed part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See.
Tinubu, on his part, said he looked forward to welcoming Pope Leo XIV to Nigeria, noting that the Pontiff’s global efforts to promote peace had inspired millions around the world.
“I appreciate the Pope. It was an honour for me to lead the Nigerian delegation to his inauguration as Pope Leo XIV. It was a moment of history. 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,” the President said in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.
Tinubu also reflected on his longstanding relationship with the Catholic Church, recalling that as Governor of Lagos State he facilitated the return of mission schools to their original religious owners.
“I understand the roles that the Catholic Church has been playing in expanding the frontiers of education, health and humanitarianism in Nigeria. It means a lot to us in Nigeria, and the country is benefiting from it,” he said.
The President assured the Vatican envoy of his administration’s commitment to promoting religious harmony and urged Catholic bishops and other religious leaders to continue preaching peace and tolerance across the country.
“Our bishops and religious leaders have been doing a great deal. Please tell them to continue the good work they are doing. Let them continue to preach peace and tolerance. We cannot have an excess of that,” Tinubu added.
Addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, the President maintained that the country’s violence should not be viewed through a religious lens.
“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church. This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.
Tinubu further stated that the military had recorded significant progress against insecurity, adding that his administration was increasing investment in security operations, surveillance of ungoverned areas and youth empowerment programmes aimed at preventing radicalisation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described Gallagher’s visit as significant, noting that Nigeria’s Catholic population made its relationship with the Holy See one of considerable importance.
“We have over 30 million Catholics in Nigeria. We have over 10,000 priests, and Nigeria has the largest number of Catholic bishops on the African continent.
“So, the visit of Archbishop Gallagher, who is the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, is very significant on this 50th anniversary of our bilateral relations with the Holy See,” she said.
The minister noted that diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See began in 1976, while Nigeria established its permanent mission to the Vatican in 2012.
She also praised the Catholic Church for its contributions to education, healthcare, humanitarian services, interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding in Nigeria and across Africa.