Vatican City - Pope Leo XIV was officially inaugurated on Sunday, May 18, 2025, in a grand outdoor ceremony at St. Peter’s Square. The event drew an estimated 200,000 to...

Vatican City - Pope Leo XIV was officially inaugurated on Sunday, May 18, 2025, in a grand outdoor ceremony at St. Peter’s Square. The event drew an estimated 200,000 to 250,000 attendees, including numerous world leaders.

The 69-year-old pontiff, who is the first American and the first with Peruvian citizenship to lead the Catholic Church, called for unity within the church and emphasized a continued focus on social justice. During the ceremony, he pledged to lead without autocratic rule. His appearance in the popemobile was met with enthusiastic cheers and flags from many countries.

Among the distinguished guests and world leaders who attended was Nigerian 

President Bola Tinubu, who traveled to Rome following a personal invitation from Pope Leo XIV. President Tinubu was accompanied by senior Catholic leaders from Nigeria. He participated in the inauguration mass and held a private meeting with the new pope. This meeting is expected to strengthen diplomatic and interfaith ties between Nigeria and the Vatican.

President Tinubu’s presence at the event highlights Nigeria’s significance to the new pontiff, who previously worked in Lagos during the 1980s and has expressed a special connection to the country.

Reuters reported that the inauguration marks the beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy, with a strong message of unity and social justice resonating throughout the global Catholic community.