President Bola Tinubu on Saturday declared that he looked forward to receiving Pope Leo XIV in Nigeria.He said the Pope’s spiritual engagement was needed at a time when millions across the world were looking up to him for leadership on peace.Tinubu made the declaration while receiving the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations of the Holy See, Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.The Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, ushered the Archbishop into the President’s presence, according to a statement signed Saturday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.The statement is titled ‘Nigerian Government Will Continue to Partner With Religious Leaders to Promote Peace and Tolerance — President Tinubu.’The President said, “I appreciate the Pope. It was an honour for me to lead the Nigerian delegation to his inauguration as Pope Leo XIV.“It was a moment of history. I see his efforts all over the world to promote world peace.“We need his spiritual engagement, as millions around the world look up to him. I look forward to receiving him in Nigeria.”Gallagher’s visit coincided with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See, a milestone he said was particularly significant given Nigeria’s strategic importance to the global Catholic Church.The President highlighted his personal relationship with the Catholic Church, tracing it back to his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, during which he said he prioritised returning mission schools to religious institutions that had been taken over by military administrations.“I understand the roles that the Catholic Church has been playing in expanding the frontiers of education, health and humanitarianism in Nigeria. It means a lot to us in Nigeria, and the country is benefiting from it,” he said.He also charged the Archbishop with a message for Nigeria’s bishops and religious leaders, saying, “My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths.“Our bishops and religious leaders have been doing a great deal. Please tell them to continue the good work they are doing. Let them continue to preach peace and tolerance. We cannot have an excess of that,” Tinubu added.On Nigeria’s security crisis, the President argued that the killings are not driven by religion.He cited his own household as evidence that the conflict was not reducible to religious identity.Related NewsVatican diplomat meets Tinubu in AbujaSaraki pledges support for UNILORIN first-class scholar’s Italy tripTinubu flags off N137bn road rehabilitation projects in Borno“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church.“This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.He assured Gallagher that the Nigerian military had made significant progress in recent times and remained committed to sustaining those gains, while acknowledging that a single incident could undermine previous achievements.He said more resources were being allocated to security, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas, and that his government was investing in youth to reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist groups.Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. He said the Pope’s spiritual engagement was needed at a time when millions across the world were looking up to him for leadership on peace.Tinubu made the declaration while receiving the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations of the Holy See, Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.The Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, ushered the Archbishop into the President’s presence, according to a statement signed Saturday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.The statement is titled ‘Nigerian Government Will Continue to Partner With Religious Leaders to Promote Peace and Tolerance — President Tinubu.’The President said, “I appreciate the Pope. It was an honour for me to lead the Nigerian delegation to his inauguration as Pope Leo XIV.“It was a moment of history. I see his efforts all over the world to promote world peace.“We need his spiritual engagement, as millions around the world look up to him. I look forward to receiving him in Nigeria.”Gallagher’s visit coincided with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See, a milestone he said was particularly significant given Nigeria’s strategic importance to the global Catholic Church.The President highlighted his personal relationship with the Catholic Church, tracing it back to his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, during which he said he prioritised returning mission schools to religious institutions that had been taken over by military administrations.“I understand the roles that the Catholic Church has been playing in expanding the frontiers of education, health and humanitarianism in Nigeria. It means a lot to us in Nigeria, and the country is benefiting from it,” he said.He also charged the Archbishop with a message for Nigeria’s bishops and religious leaders, saying, “My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths.“Our bishops and religious leaders have been doing a great deal. Please tell them to continue the good work they are doing. Let them continue to preach peace and tolerance. We cannot have an excess of that,” Tinubu added.On Nigeria’s security crisis, the President argued that the killings are not driven by religion.He cited his own household as evidence that the conflict was not reducible to religious identity.Related NewsVatican diplomat meets Tinubu in AbujaSaraki pledges support for UNILORIN first-class scholar’s Italy tripTinubu flags off N137bn road rehabilitation projects in Borno“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church.“This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.He assured Gallagher that the Nigerian military had made significant progress in recent times and remained committed to sustaining those gains, while acknowledging that a single incident could undermine previous achievements.He said more resources were being allocated to security, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas, and that his government was investing in youth to reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist groups.Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. Tinubu made the declaration while receiving the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations of the Holy See, Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.The Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, ushered the Archbishop into the President’s presence, according to a statement signed Saturday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.The statement is titled ‘Nigerian Government Will Continue to Partner With Religious Leaders to Promote Peace and Tolerance — President Tinubu.’The President said, “I appreciate the Pope. It was an honour for me to lead the Nigerian delegation to his inauguration as Pope Leo XIV.“It was a moment of history. I see his efforts all over the world to promote world peace.“We need his spiritual engagement, as millions around the world look up to him. I look forward to receiving him in Nigeria.”Gallagher’s visit coincided with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See, a milestone he said was particularly significant given Nigeria’s strategic importance to the global Catholic Church.The President highlighted his personal relationship with the Catholic Church, tracing it back to his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, during which he said he prioritised returning mission schools to religious institutions that had been taken over by military administrations.“I understand the roles that the Catholic Church has been playing in expanding the frontiers of education, health and humanitarianism in Nigeria. It means a lot to us in Nigeria, and the country is benefiting from it,” he said.He also charged the Archbishop with a message for Nigeria’s bishops and religious leaders, saying, “My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths.“Our bishops and religious leaders have been doing a great deal. Please tell them to continue the good work they are doing. Let them continue to preach peace and tolerance. We cannot have an excess of that,” Tinubu added.On Nigeria’s security crisis, the President argued that the killings are not driven by religion.He cited his own household as evidence that the conflict was not reducible to religious identity.Related NewsVatican diplomat meets Tinubu in AbujaSaraki pledges support for UNILORIN first-class scholar’s Italy tripTinubu flags off N137bn road rehabilitation projects in Borno“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church.“This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.He assured Gallagher that the Nigerian military had made significant progress in recent times and remained committed to sustaining those gains, while acknowledging that a single incident could undermine previous achievements.He said more resources were being allocated to security, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas, and that his government was investing in youth to reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist groups.Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. The Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, ushered the Archbishop into the President’s presence, according to a statement signed Saturday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.The statement is titled ‘Nigerian Government Will Continue to Partner With Religious Leaders to Promote Peace and Tolerance — President Tinubu.’The President said, “I appreciate the Pope. It was an honour for me to lead the Nigerian delegation to his inauguration as Pope Leo XIV.“It was a moment of history. I see his efforts all over the world to promote world peace.“We need his spiritual engagement, as millions around the world look up to him. I look forward to receiving him in Nigeria.”Gallagher’s visit coincided with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See, a milestone he said was particularly significant given Nigeria’s strategic importance to the global Catholic Church.The President highlighted his personal relationship with the Catholic Church, tracing it back to his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, during which he said he prioritised returning mission schools to religious institutions that had been taken over by military administrations.“I understand the roles that the Catholic Church has been playing in expanding the frontiers of education, health and humanitarianism in Nigeria. It means a lot to us in Nigeria, and the country is benefiting from it,” he said.He also charged the Archbishop with a message for Nigeria’s bishops and religious leaders, saying, “My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths.“Our bishops and religious leaders have been doing a great deal. Please tell them to continue the good work they are doing. Let them continue to preach peace and tolerance. We cannot have an excess of that,” Tinubu added.On Nigeria’s security crisis, the President argued that the killings are not driven by religion.He cited his own household as evidence that the conflict was not reducible to religious identity.Related NewsVatican diplomat meets Tinubu in AbujaSaraki pledges support for UNILORIN first-class scholar’s Italy tripTinubu flags off N137bn road rehabilitation projects in Borno“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church.“This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.He assured Gallagher that the Nigerian military had made significant progress in recent times and remained committed to sustaining those gains, while acknowledging that a single incident could undermine previous achievements.He said more resources were being allocated to security, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas, and that his government was investing in youth to reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist groups.Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. The statement is titled ‘Nigerian Government Will Continue to Partner With Religious Leaders to Promote Peace and Tolerance — President Tinubu.’The President said, “I appreciate the Pope. It was an honour for me to lead the Nigerian delegation to his inauguration as Pope Leo XIV.“It was a moment of history. I see his efforts all over the world to promote world peace.“We need his spiritual engagement, as millions around the world look up to him. I look forward to receiving him in Nigeria.”Gallagher’s visit coincided with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See, a milestone he said was particularly significant given Nigeria’s strategic importance to the global Catholic Church.The President highlighted his personal relationship with the Catholic Church, tracing it back to his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, during which he said he prioritised returning mission schools to religious institutions that had been taken over by military administrations.“I understand the roles that the Catholic Church has been playing in expanding the frontiers of education, health and humanitarianism in Nigeria. It means a lot to us in Nigeria, and the country is benefiting from it,” he said.He also charged the Archbishop with a message for Nigeria’s bishops and religious leaders, saying, “My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths.“Our bishops and religious leaders have been doing a great deal. Please tell them to continue the good work they are doing. Let them continue to preach peace and tolerance. We cannot have an excess of that,” Tinubu added.On Nigeria’s security crisis, the President argued that the killings are not driven by religion.He cited his own household as evidence that the conflict was not reducible to religious identity.Related NewsVatican diplomat meets Tinubu in AbujaSaraki pledges support for UNILORIN first-class scholar’s Italy tripTinubu flags off N137bn road rehabilitation projects in Borno“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church.“This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.He assured Gallagher that the Nigerian military had made significant progress in recent times and remained committed to sustaining those gains, while acknowledging that a single incident could undermine previous achievements.He said more resources were being allocated to security, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas, and that his government was investing in youth to reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist groups.Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. The President said, “I appreciate the Pope. It was an honour for me to lead the Nigerian delegation to his inauguration as Pope Leo XIV.“It was a moment of history. I see his efforts all over the world to promote world peace.“We need his spiritual engagement, as millions around the world look up to him. I look forward to receiving him in Nigeria.”Gallagher’s visit coincided with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See, a milestone he said was particularly significant given Nigeria’s strategic importance to the global Catholic Church.The President highlighted his personal relationship with the Catholic Church, tracing it back to his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, during which he said he prioritised returning mission schools to religious institutions that had been taken over by military administrations.“I understand the roles that the Catholic Church has been playing in expanding the frontiers of education, health and humanitarianism in Nigeria. It means a lot to us in Nigeria, and the country is benefiting from it,” he said.He also charged the Archbishop with a message for Nigeria’s bishops and religious leaders, saying, “My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths.“Our bishops and religious leaders have been doing a great deal. Please tell them to continue the good work they are doing. Let them continue to preach peace and tolerance. We cannot have an excess of that,” Tinubu added.On Nigeria’s security crisis, the President argued that the killings are not driven by religion.He cited his own household as evidence that the conflict was not reducible to religious identity.Related NewsVatican diplomat meets Tinubu in AbujaSaraki pledges support for UNILORIN first-class scholar’s Italy tripTinubu flags off N137bn road rehabilitation projects in Borno“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church.“This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.He assured Gallagher that the Nigerian military had made significant progress in recent times and remained committed to sustaining those gains, while acknowledging that a single incident could undermine previous achievements.He said more resources were being allocated to security, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas, and that his government was investing in youth to reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist groups.Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. “It was a moment of history. I see his efforts all over the world to promote world peace.“We need his spiritual engagement, as millions around the world look up to him. I look forward to receiving him in Nigeria.”Gallagher’s visit coincided with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See, a milestone he said was particularly significant given Nigeria’s strategic importance to the global Catholic Church.The President highlighted his personal relationship with the Catholic Church, tracing it back to his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, during which he said he prioritised returning mission schools to religious institutions that had been taken over by military administrations.“I understand the roles that the Catholic Church has been playing in expanding the frontiers of education, health and humanitarianism in Nigeria. It means a lot to us in Nigeria, and the country is benefiting from it,” he said.He also charged the Archbishop with a message for Nigeria’s bishops and religious leaders, saying, “My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths.“Our bishops and religious leaders have been doing a great deal. Please tell them to continue the good work they are doing. Let them continue to preach peace and tolerance. We cannot have an excess of that,” Tinubu added.On Nigeria’s security crisis, the President argued that the killings are not driven by religion.He cited his own household as evidence that the conflict was not reducible to religious identity.Related NewsVatican diplomat meets Tinubu in AbujaSaraki pledges support for UNILORIN first-class scholar’s Italy tripTinubu flags off N137bn road rehabilitation projects in Borno“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church.“This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.He assured Gallagher that the Nigerian military had made significant progress in recent times and remained committed to sustaining those gains, while acknowledging that a single incident could undermine previous achievements.He said more resources were being allocated to security, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas, and that his government was investing in youth to reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist groups.Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. “We need his spiritual engagement, as millions around the world look up to him. I look forward to receiving him in Nigeria.”Gallagher’s visit coincided with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See, a milestone he said was particularly significant given Nigeria’s strategic importance to the global Catholic Church.The President highlighted his personal relationship with the Catholic Church, tracing it back to his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, during which he said he prioritised returning mission schools to religious institutions that had been taken over by military administrations.“I understand the roles that the Catholic Church has been playing in expanding the frontiers of education, health and humanitarianism in Nigeria. It means a lot to us in Nigeria, and the country is benefiting from it,” he said.He also charged the Archbishop with a message for Nigeria’s bishops and religious leaders, saying, “My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths.“Our bishops and religious leaders have been doing a great deal. Please tell them to continue the good work they are doing. Let them continue to preach peace and tolerance. We cannot have an excess of that,” Tinubu added.On Nigeria’s security crisis, the President argued that the killings are not driven by religion.He cited his own household as evidence that the conflict was not reducible to religious identity.Related NewsVatican diplomat meets Tinubu in AbujaSaraki pledges support for UNILORIN first-class scholar’s Italy tripTinubu flags off N137bn road rehabilitation projects in Borno“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church.“This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.He assured Gallagher that the Nigerian military had made significant progress in recent times and remained committed to sustaining those gains, while acknowledging that a single incident could undermine previous achievements.He said more resources were being allocated to security, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas, and that his government was investing in youth to reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist groups.Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. Gallagher’s visit coincided with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Holy See, a milestone he said was particularly significant given Nigeria’s strategic importance to the global Catholic Church.The President highlighted his personal relationship with the Catholic Church, tracing it back to his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, during which he said he prioritised returning mission schools to religious institutions that had been taken over by military administrations.“I understand the roles that the Catholic Church has been playing in expanding the frontiers of education, health and humanitarianism in Nigeria. It means a lot to us in Nigeria, and the country is benefiting from it,” he said.He also charged the Archbishop with a message for Nigeria’s bishops and religious leaders, saying, “My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths.“Our bishops and religious leaders have been doing a great deal. Please tell them to continue the good work they are doing. Let them continue to preach peace and tolerance. We cannot have an excess of that,” Tinubu added.On Nigeria’s security crisis, the President argued that the killings are not driven by religion.He cited his own household as evidence that the conflict was not reducible to religious identity.Related NewsVatican diplomat meets Tinubu in AbujaSaraki pledges support for UNILORIN first-class scholar’s Italy tripTinubu flags off N137bn road rehabilitation projects in Borno“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church.“This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.He assured Gallagher that the Nigerian military had made significant progress in recent times and remained committed to sustaining those gains, while acknowledging that a single incident could undermine previous achievements.He said more resources were being allocated to security, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas, and that his government was investing in youth to reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist groups.Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. The President highlighted his personal relationship with the Catholic Church, tracing it back to his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, during which he said he prioritised returning mission schools to religious institutions that had been taken over by military administrations.“I understand the roles that the Catholic Church has been playing in expanding the frontiers of education, health and humanitarianism in Nigeria. It means a lot to us in Nigeria, and the country is benefiting from it,” he said.He also charged the Archbishop with a message for Nigeria’s bishops and religious leaders, saying, “My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths.“Our bishops and religious leaders have been doing a great deal. Please tell them to continue the good work they are doing. Let them continue to preach peace and tolerance. We cannot have an excess of that,” Tinubu added.On Nigeria’s security crisis, the President argued that the killings are not driven by religion.He cited his own household as evidence that the conflict was not reducible to religious identity.Related NewsVatican diplomat meets Tinubu in AbujaSaraki pledges support for UNILORIN first-class scholar’s Italy tripTinubu flags off N137bn road rehabilitation projects in Borno“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church.“This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.He assured Gallagher that the Nigerian military had made significant progress in recent times and remained committed to sustaining those gains, while acknowledging that a single incident could undermine previous achievements.He said more resources were being allocated to security, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas, and that his government was investing in youth to reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist groups.Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. “I understand the roles that the Catholic Church has been playing in expanding the frontiers of education, health and humanitarianism in Nigeria. It means a lot to us in Nigeria, and the country is benefiting from it,” he said.He also charged the Archbishop with a message for Nigeria’s bishops and religious leaders, saying, “My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths.“Our bishops and religious leaders have been doing a great deal. Please tell them to continue the good work they are doing. Let them continue to preach peace and tolerance. We cannot have an excess of that,” Tinubu added.On Nigeria’s security crisis, the President argued that the killings are not driven by religion.He cited his own household as evidence that the conflict was not reducible to religious identity.Related NewsVatican diplomat meets Tinubu in AbujaSaraki pledges support for UNILORIN first-class scholar’s Italy tripTinubu flags off N137bn road rehabilitation projects in Borno“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church.“This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.He assured Gallagher that the Nigerian military had made significant progress in recent times and remained committed to sustaining those gains, while acknowledging that a single incident could undermine previous achievements.He said more resources were being allocated to security, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas, and that his government was investing in youth to reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist groups.Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. He also charged the Archbishop with a message for Nigeria’s bishops and religious leaders, saying, “My administration will continue to work on religious harmony among all faiths.“Our bishops and religious leaders have been doing a great deal. Please tell them to continue the good work they are doing. Let them continue to preach peace and tolerance. We cannot have an excess of that,” Tinubu added.On Nigeria’s security crisis, the President argued that the killings are not driven by religion.He cited his own household as evidence that the conflict was not reducible to religious identity.Related NewsVatican diplomat meets Tinubu in AbujaSaraki pledges support for UNILORIN first-class scholar’s Italy tripTinubu flags off N137bn road rehabilitation projects in Borno“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church.“This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.He assured Gallagher that the Nigerian military had made significant progress in recent times and remained committed to sustaining those gains, while acknowledging that a single incident could undermine previous achievements.He said more resources were being allocated to security, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas, and that his government was investing in youth to reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist groups.Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. “Our bishops and religious leaders have been doing a great deal. Please tell them to continue the good work they are doing. Let them continue to preach peace and tolerance. We cannot have an excess of that,” Tinubu added.On Nigeria’s security crisis, the President argued that the killings are not driven by religion.He cited his own household as evidence that the conflict was not reducible to religious identity.Related NewsVatican diplomat meets Tinubu in AbujaSaraki pledges support for UNILORIN first-class scholar’s Italy tripTinubu flags off N137bn road rehabilitation projects in Borno“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church.“This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.He assured Gallagher that the Nigerian military had made significant progress in recent times and remained committed to sustaining those gains, while acknowledging that a single incident could undermine previous achievements.He said more resources were being allocated to security, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas, and that his government was investing in youth to reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist groups.Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. On Nigeria’s security crisis, the President argued that the killings are not driven by religion.He cited his own household as evidence that the conflict was not reducible to religious identity.Related NewsVatican diplomat meets Tinubu in AbujaSaraki pledges support for UNILORIN first-class scholar’s Italy tripTinubu flags off N137bn road rehabilitation projects in Borno“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church.“This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.He assured Gallagher that the Nigerian military had made significant progress in recent times and remained committed to sustaining those gains, while acknowledging that a single incident could undermine previous achievements.He said more resources were being allocated to security, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas, and that his government was investing in youth to reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist groups.Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. He cited his own household as evidence that the conflict was not reducible to religious identity.Related NewsVatican diplomat meets Tinubu in AbujaSaraki pledges support for UNILORIN first-class scholar’s Italy tripTinubu flags off N137bn road rehabilitation projects in Borno“We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church.“This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.He assured Gallagher that the Nigerian military had made significant progress in recent times and remained committed to sustaining those gains, while acknowledging that a single incident could undermine previous achievements.He said more resources were being allocated to security, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas, and that his government was investing in youth to reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist groups.Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. “We are also doing a lot to guarantee freedom of worship. As you may be aware, my wife is a pastor at an evangelical church.“This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.He assured Gallagher that the Nigerian military had made significant progress in recent times and remained committed to sustaining those gains, while acknowledging that a single incident could undermine previous achievements.He said more resources were being allocated to security, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas, and that his government was investing in youth to reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist groups.Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. “This downplays the religious connotation that the religious controversy in our country might have taken,” he said.He assured Gallagher that the Nigerian military had made significant progress in recent times and remained committed to sustaining those gains, while acknowledging that a single incident could undermine previous achievements.He said more resources were being allocated to security, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas, and that his government was investing in youth to reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist groups.Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. He assured Gallagher that the Nigerian military had made significant progress in recent times and remained committed to sustaining those gains, while acknowledging that a single incident could undermine previous achievements.He said more resources were being allocated to security, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas, and that his government was investing in youth to reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist groups.Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. He said more resources were being allocated to security, with intensified surveillance in previously ungoverned areas, and that his government was investing in youth to reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist groups.Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. Gallagher conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s appreciation for Tinubu’s personal presence at the Pope’s inauguration, describing Nigeria as the heart of Africa and home to some of the most successful episcopal activities on the continent.He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. He commended the Tinubu’s efforts in promoting peace through military initiatives and encouraged continued dedication.The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. The Vatican diplomat also shared his impressions of Veritas University, established by the Catholic community in Abuja, describing its progress as remarkable.He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for facilitating visas for bishops and for its responsiveness to the Church’s various needs across the country.Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. Gallagher informed the President that he looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s incoming Ambassador to the Holy See in a few weeks, and assured him that Saturday’s audience would be the first of several special visits from the Holy See.Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. Accompanying Gallagher were the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael F. Crotty; Rev. Monsignor Suman Paul Anthony, Official of the Secretariat of State for Relations with States and International Organisations; and Rev. Monsignor Patarne Koyassambia-Kozondo, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria.Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. Before his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV reportedly visited Nigeria nine times as head of the Augustinian Catholic community worldwide.According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. According to records, the Pope, then Father Robert Francis Prevost, in his capacity as Prior General of the Augustinian Order and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, visited Nigeria on at least nine occasions between 2001 and 2016, travelling to Lagos, Jos, Benin, Bida, Ibusa, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, Kano, Warri, Kaduna and Abuja.In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. In April 2026, the Pope embarked on his first apostolic trip to Africa, a 10-day journey covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent. However, the visit did not include Nigeria, which is home to over 30 million Catholics, houses over 10,000 Catholic priests, and holds the largest number of Archbishops on the continent.