By Queen Kunde
President Bola Tinubu’s appearance at the Vatican for the historic inauguration of Pope Leo XIV has drawn praise from religious leaders back home, most notably from Bishop Stephen Adegbite, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC).
In a statement released Saturday, Bishop Adegbite applauded the President’s decision to personally attend the papal inauguration at St. Peter’s Square, calling it “a gesture that demonstrates his faith in God and deep commitment to ecumenism.”
“President Tinubu’s presence among world leaders at the formal installation of the 267th Pope sends a strong message of religious tolerance and national unity,” said Adegbite.
“His one-on-one interaction with Pope Leo XIV is a moment of pride for Nigerians of all faiths.”
The NCPC boss noted that Tinubu’s visit underscores a broader message of interfaith respect and the vital role of prayer in sustaining the Nigerian nation. He added that the President’s openness further dispels any notion of religious bias.
Looking ahead, Bishop Adegbite expressed enthusiasm for the Commission’s upcoming executive pilgrimage to Rome, where Nigerian pilgrims are expected to attend a Papal audience and receive blessings from the newly installed Pontiff. “With Pope Leo XIV now leading the global Catholic Church, we anticipate a spiritually enriching experience for all pilgrims,” he stated.
The statement was signed by Celestine Toruka, Deputy Director and Head of Media and Public Relations at the NCPC.
As Nigeria continues to navigate a diverse religious landscape, President Tinubu’s Vatican visit may prove to be a symbolic milestone in bridging faiths and reinforcing unity.
Discussion about this post