President Bola Tinubu on Sunday joined world leaders and millions of Catholics in witnessing the beginning of a new papacy.
Tinubu who is Vatican on the personal invitation of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, I, said the Pope’s “humility, history with Nigeria, and message of peace remind us of the moral leadership the world desperately needs.”
The Nigerian President noted that “As a nation of deep faith and great diversity, Nigeria remains committed to building bridges across belief, race, and continent—for peace, for progress, and for all of humanity.
“May the Almighty guide the Holy Father and strengthen all who labour for a more just and compassionate world.”
According to Vatican News, greeting over 200,000 pilgrims, leaders from around the world, and representatives of Christian denominations, Pope Leo XIV marked the joyous start to his Petrine Ministry, officially inaugurating it with Mass in Saint Peter’s Square on Sunday, 18 May.
Religious delegations included Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Zoroastrian and Jainists, among the many present for the celebration.
The new Pope invited the Church to walk together along the path of God’s love and remain united in one family.
Expressing his heartfelt gratitude for the prayerful and joyful support offered to him as he begins his pastoral ministry as Pope, Leo XIV recalled the intense emotions experienced over these past few weeks.
“Following the death of Pope Francis, we felt like sheep without a shepherd,” he recalled, “yet having received his final blessing on Easter Sunday, and with eyes of faith, hope, and joy, we remembered how the Lord never abandons His people.”
The Pope also thanked everyone for accompanying in prayer the College of Cardinals meeting in conclave to elect the Successor of Peter as they looked at how to continue the mission of preaching the Gospel with a shepherd able to address today’s challenges.
He said they felt “the working of the Holy Spirit, who was able to bring us into harmony, like musical instruments, so that our heartstrings could vibrate in a single melody.”
