Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has revealed that President Bola Tinubu’s invitation to the Papal inauguration in the Vatican City was borne out of personal relationship between the new Pope and President Tinubu.
Orji Kalu, a Catholic told journalist at the National Assembly on Tuesday that President Tinubu’s friendship with the new Pope dates back to Chicago in the United States of America.
Kalu who responded to question on why President Tinubu didn’t delegate a Christian government official to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the Vatican stated that, “Mr. President couldn’t have sent any Christian person. Mr. President is a personal friend of the Pope. They met in Chicago, if some of you don’t know. And Pope personally invited him. And that is why he went.
“And it would be out of place if President disobeyed the Pope. About 1.8 billion Catholics, including me. How can he disobey our Pope? It’s not possible. So, President obeyed the Pope. And the Catholics will respect and will also well appreciate him for that obedience he gave to the Pope in 2027.”
President Tinubu was among world leaders that witnessed the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV at St Paul’s Basilica in the Vatican City where the President met with the Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi