The Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Diocese, Ignatius Kaigama, has commended President Bola Tinubu for his recent visit to Rome and meeting with Pope Leo XIV, describing it as a demonstration of concrete interreligious dialogue.

Archbishop Kaigama, who was part of President Tinubu's entourage to the Vatican City, made these remarks while speaking at a function in Jalingo, Taraba State.

"Four of us Catholic bishops were together with President Tinubu in Rome just last Sunday for the inauguration of the New Pope," Kaigama stated. "And for me that was a very significant gesture from a president that is a Muslim, a good sign on his part of concrete inter-religious dialogue."

The Archbishop emphasized that interreligious dialogue should be practical rather than theoretical. "Inter-religious dialogue doesn't have to be theoretical, it has to be concrete, the dialogue of life. As a Muslim he went to an overwhelmingly Christian event and he was well received by the Pope," he added.

President Tinubu, a Yoruba Muslim who is married to a Christian and assistant pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), attended Pope Leo XIV's official installation ceremony last Sunday following an invitation from the Vatican.

Pope Leo XIV was elected by the college of Cardinals following the death of Pope Francis. The Nigerian President's attendance at this significant Catholic event has been viewed as an important step in fostering religious harmony in Nigeria, a country often challenged by religious tensions.

The President has since returned to Abuja after his diplomatic visit to Rome, which has drawn positive reactions from religious leaders across the country.