President Bola Tinubu shook hands with the newly installed head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, during the installation mass held on Sunday in St Peter’s Square, Vatican City. The moment, which lasted only a few seconds, has since lee to a myriad of mixed reactions across Nigeria and beyond.
The handshake between Tinubu and Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican inauguration came shortly after the Pope had addressed global leaders with a powerful message urging the world to stop exploiting nature and marginalising the poor. The Pope also called on world leaders to use their positions to unify a deeply divided world.
Tinubu’s Brief Moment with Pope Leo XIV Raises Questions
While Tinubu’s participation in the event alongside figures such as US Vice President J.D. Vance and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky might seem like routine diplomacy, many Nigerians have interpreted the handshake differently. Critics question why Tinubu, whose domestic approval ratings are shaky, is prioritising international events over Nigeria’s deepening economic crisis. Supporters, however, see the move as a necessary step to reinforce Nigeria’s global image.
Bottom Line
For some, Tinubu shaking hands with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican inauguration is nothing more than a formal gesture. For others, it’s a strategic political move aimed at gaining moral and international legitimacy amid growing unrest and dissatisfaction in Nigeria.
The Pope’s homily, which focused on social justice, environmental care, and compassion for the poor, stood in sharp contrast to the realities faced by many Nigerians. While Tinubu smiled and nodded during the address, Nigerians believe that his administration’s policies have done little to help the poor or protect the environment.
