By Abiola Olawale
World leaders including Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, United States Vice President, J.D.Vance, Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney and Ukrainian President Volodymr Zeneskyy on Sunday met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, following the pontiff’s inaugural Mass.
That Sunday mass marked the official start of the Pope’s papacy as the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
The meeting came after Tinubu, alongside other world leaders, attended the solemn Mass in St. Peter’s Square, where Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, called for unity and peace amid global challenges.
The Nigerian leader, who arrived in Rome on Saturday following a formal Vatican invitation, exchanged warm pleasantries with the Pope in a brief but symbolic interaction reflecting mutual respect and goodwill.
The inauguration Mass was attended by an estimated 150,000 pilgrims and dignitaries, including US Vice President JD Vance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
