President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt congratulations to His Holiness Leo XIV on his election as Bishop of Rome and new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Tinubu expressed his congratulations in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and titled ‘President Tinubu congratulates His Holiness Leo XIV on election as Bishop of Rome.’
“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,” the statement read in part.
Tinubu affirmed Nigeria’s valued relations with the Holy See over many years while also acknowledging the rewarding partnership with the Catholic Church in peacebuilding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and, more recently, technology promotion to advance human capacity.
He expressed his belief that Pope Leo XIV’s election marks a new chapter in the history of the Catholic Church and the values of love, humanity, and charity, particularly towards the poor, that it has consistently projected.
As a result, the president prayed that the Almighty God continue to shine his light of glory over the new leader of the Catholic Church, as well as provide him good health and wisdom, so that he might spread the message of peace and love across the globe.
