Tinubu Exchanges Pleasantries with Pope Leo in Trending Video, "They Are Chicago Boys"
- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday, May 18, 2025, met with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican City, Italy
- Tinubu exchanged pleasantries with Pope Leo at the official installation ceremony of the new pontiff
- Nigerians have taken to social media to react to the video of President Tinubu having a handshake with Pope Leo continues to trend
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
Vatican City, Italy - President Bola Ahmed Tinubu exchanged a cordial handshake with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican City, Italy.
President Tinubu attended the official installation ceremony of Pope Leo on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
Source: Twitter
The video of President Tinubu briefly conversing with Pope Leo at the Vatican City has gone viral.
Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, shared the video along with some photos via his X handle @DOlusegun
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) exchanges pleasantries with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.”
The Presidential aide earlier shared a video of when Tinubu arrived at the Vatican for the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, his first Mass as Pope.
“President Bola Tinubu arrives at the Vatican for the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, first Mass as Pope.”
What's Pope Leo's connection with Nigeria?
In his invitation letter to President Tinubu, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the importance of his presence “at this moment of particular importance for the Catholic Church and the world afflicted by many tensions and conflicts.”
The invitation, conveyed in a formal letter by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, underscores the Holy See’s growing engagement with African nations amid rising geopolitical and religious challenges.
Pope Leo also stated in the letter that Nigeria is dear to him because he previously served in the country during the 1980s.
Expressing a personal connection to Nigeria, the pope wrote:
“Your great nation is particularly dear to me as I worked in the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s."
The Pope has also visited Nigeria many times. Business mogul and philanthropist, Femi Otedola, shared a photograph of the pontiff during the 2016 visit to Nigeria. In the post, Otedola recalled the pope’s notable visit to Nigeria years before his elevation to the papacy. According to him, the then-Cardinal visited the Augustinian community in Abuja in 2016, where he commissioned several important projects.
Nigerians react as Tinubu shakes Pope Leo
@TVupele
Both are Lagos boys, they are also Chicago boys; they are just having a nice conversation in St. Peter's Square.
@Olusoji157
See as your master dey stagger after the shake. Did he receive an anointing?
@SoloWis95533478
What are the economic benefits of this?
@Litweddingng
Nigeria has 33M Catholics. Despite being Muslim, President Tinubu’s Vatican recognition shows true religious tolerance. No persecution—just leadership that transcends faith. A proud moment for Nigeria & a nod to its global Catholic significance.
@igbohomeland
Obviously he never even concentrated during mass where he was preoccupied with trying to figure out how to go to shake pope's hands for Nigerian public image!
@NIYIZENITH
This is one way God vindicates his beloved 👌
After the Muslim-Muslim ticket propagandist, the GRACE and the LOVE of God shine brighter on Mr President
@officialABAT✨
@maryam_kebbi
Our President shines in Rome, showcasing his leadership capabilities.
@rhineheart_Hart
They said BAT would never meet the Pope, but now he has met him they are changing the narrative to will that reduce the price of things in Nigeria.😅😂
@Edtoe
You people are just seriously looking for validation upanda. Who cares if he exchanges pleasantries with the Angel Gabriel or POPE?
Tinubu speaks ahead of Pope Leo XIV's Inauguration.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that President Tinubu arrived in Rome, Italy, on Saturday, May 17, to join other world leaders at the solemn mass marking the beginning of the Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Legit.ng reports that the new Pope’s installation mass will take place today, Sunday, May 18, 2025.
In Rome, Tinubu expressed Nigeria’s deep appreciation for the Vatican’s longstanding goodwill and reaffirmed the country's commitment to promoting interfaith dialogue, tolerance, and cooperation.
Legit.ng's head of politics and current affairs desk, Nurudeen Lawal, contributed information on Pope Leo's familiarity with Nigeria to this report.
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Source: Legit.ng
