Fadakaymedia
Voxnews.com.ng
Recently, news went viral that President Tinubu has been invited to Rome. As is customary here in Nigeria, media outlets made it seem as though the newly elected Pope Leo XIV had singled out our own Nigerian President for this invite.
Some of you may not know, but come this Sunday, May 18th 2025, Pope Leo XIV will celebrate his Holy Mass of Inauguration, properly called Mass of the Inauguration of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome.
You know, when a new Pope is elected, it is not just a church affair. It is also a world event. This is why you see heads of state, royal families, and even leaders of other religions at the inaugural Mass.
First, let’s remember that the Pope is not only the spiritual leader of Catholics. He is also the head of Vatican City, which is a sovereign country. So when a new Pope begins his ministry, it is like when a country gets a new President or King. Other world leaders come to show respect and keep good diplomatic relationships.
But it is more than politics. The Pope has moral influence across the world. He speaks on issues like peace, poverty, justice, and the dignity of every human person. So inviting world leaders is a way of saying the Church is ready to work with everyone for the common good.
Now, who gets invited? The guest list is quite rich.
Presidents, prime ministers, kings, queens, royal families, ambassadors, leaders of other Christian churches, leaders of other religions, and of course, Catholic bishops, priests, religious men and women, and lay people from all over the world. The Pope’s own countrymen are always given special attention.
For example, when Pope Francis had his inaugural Mass in 2013, there were official representatives from about one hundred and thirty two countries. Big names like Vice President Joe Biden, Chancellor Angela Merkel, Prince Albert of Monaco, and the Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople were present. It was historic because it was the first time an Orthodox Patriarch attended a papal inauguration since the Great Schism of 1054.
Nonetheless, the Pope did request the physical presence of Nigeria’s President. He remembers Nigeria fondly, having visited here a couple of times. Maybe after the Mass, he will take time to see President Tinubu and remind him of the need for peace, and the security of lives and property in our dear Nation Nigeria.
May God be with them and us all, Amen.
© Oselumhense Anetor, 2025
#fadakaymedia
