Papal envoy holds talks with Tinubu in Nigerian capital

Cardinal Carlo Maria Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations at the Holy See, dropped a hint on Saturday that Pope Leo XIV might be visiting Nigeria in the near future.

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This revelation was made after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, where Gallagher expressed that the possibility of the Pope's visit is something to look forward to in the coming years.

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Gallagher stated, "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.

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Before becoming the Pope in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV, then known as Father Robert Francis Prevost, had visited Nigeria at least nine times between 2001 and 2016, travelling to various cities including Lagos, Jos, and Abuja.

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These visits took place during his time as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, highlighting the Pope's previous connection to the country.

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In April 2026, Pope Leo XIV embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey that covered Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, but did not include Nigeria.

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Nigeria is notable for having over 30 million Catholics, more than 10,000 Catholic priests, and the largest number of Archbishops on the continent, making it a significant location for the Catholic Church.

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Cardinal Gallagher commended President Tinubu's decision to deploy Paul Adikwu as Nigeria's ambassador-designate to the Holy See, citing this move as evidence of a strong and healthy bilateral relationship between the two entities.

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Gallagher described his meeting with President Tinubu as "very nice" and "very good", and also mentioned that Nigeria's new ambassador to the Vatican is expected to arrive soon.

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The visit was part of commemorative engagements and contacts with the local church and government ahead of the 50th anniversary of Nigeria-Holy See diplomatic relations, which is a significant milestone in their relationship.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who attended the meeting, emphasized that Nigeria's substantial Catholic population makes the bilateral relationship with the Holy See particularly important.

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Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that the relationship between Nigeria and the Holy See dates back to 1976, and that Nigeria established its own mission in the Vatican in 2012, further solidifying their connection.

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The Foreign Minister highlighted the Catholic Church's far-reaching contributions to Nigeria, which extend beyond worship to include education, healthcare, interfaith dialogue, humanitarian response, and promoting peace and stability across the continent.

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According to Ojukwu, the Catholic Church has a profound impact on Nigeria, with numerous educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and commitment to interfaith dialogue, humanitarian responses, and promoting peace and stability, not just in Nigeria, but also across Africa and the world.