President Bola Tinubu has extended his congratulations to the Roman Catholic Church on the election of Pope Leo XIV as the new Bishop of Rome and global leader of the Catholic faith.
In a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu hailed the historic selection of Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost—the first American to assume the papacy—as the 267th successor of St. Peter.
A Message of Faith and Partnership
The President’s statement read in part:
“The President felicitates the Conclave for electing the American Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost as the 267th Bishop of Rome. President Tinubu rejoices with the leadership of and congregants of the Catholic Church in Nigeria on the historic election of the new Pontiff, whose message of faith and hope already resonates across the globe, with a reassurance from the scriptures of a more peaceful world.”
Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s longstanding shared values with the Holy See, noting the Catholic Church’s contributions to peacebuilding, education, healthcare, and infrastructure development in the country. He also commended the Church’s recent efforts in leveraging technology to advance human capacity.
Prayers for a Fruitful Pontificate
Expressing optimism, the President stated that Pope Leo XIV’s leadership heralds a new chapter for the Church’s mission of love, charity, and service to the underprivileged. He prayed for divine wisdom and good health for the new Pope, adding:
“May the Almighty God continuously shed His light of glory over the new leader of the Catholic Church and grant him the strength to spread the message of peace and love worldwide.”
A Historic Moment for the Catholic Faith
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Prevost, was elected on Thursday by the College of Cardinals, becoming the first U.S.-born pontiff to guide the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. His inaugural address from St. Peter’s Basilica struck a unifying tone:
“To all people, wherever they are, to all peoples, to the whole Earth, peace be with you. Help us, and each other, to build bridges through dialogue, through encounter, to come together as one people, always in peace.”
The new Pope also paid tribute to his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, recalling his “weak, but always courageous” voice during his final Easter blessing.
