President Bola Tinubu was among distinguished world leaders who gathered at St. Peter’s Square on Sunday to witness the historic installation of Pope Leo XIV as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Following the inauguration mass, President Tinubu had a brief personal audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, exchanging handshakes and conversation in the iconic Vatican Square. The Nigerian leader joined an assembly of global dignitaries, including US Vice President J.D. Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who also met with the newly installed pontiff.
In his inaugural homily, Pope Leo XIV established a clear vision for his papacy, delivering a powerful message that called for an end to environmental exploitation and the marginalization of the world’s most vulnerable populations. Speaking before the gathered heads of state and religious leaders, the new Pope emphasised the Catholic Church’s role as a transformational force capable of bridging divisions and combating hatred in an increasingly fractured world.
The installation ceremony in Rome marked the official beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate, setting the stage for what promises to be a papacy focused on social justice, environmental stewardship, and global unity.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.