Nigerian Catholic bishops have secured an official schedule to meet with the newly elected Pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost, during a two-week visit to Rome in March 2026, according to the Catholic Bishop of Yola, Most Reverend Stephen Mamza.

Bishop Mamza revealed this development during a press briefing on Sunday as part of the 2025 Communication Week celebrations of the Catholic Church. He explained that the bishops received confirmation of their Ad Limina visit over the weekend.

"It was just yesterday we got a message of our Ad Limina," Mamza told journalists in Yola. "Ad Limina means the visit that bishops from many parts of the world make to the Pope. The new Pope has just approved our Ad Limina visit by March next year. All the Catholic bishops in Nigeria will be in Rome for two weeks in March next year."

Individual Audiences with the Pope

During this significant visit, each Nigerian bishop will have the privilege of a personal audience with Pope Cardinal Robert Prevost, lasting between 10 and 15 minutes. Bishop Mamza highlighted the importance of this opportunity, noting that "Nigeria is one of the first countries that the pope has approved the Ad Limina visit."

The Ad Limina visit, formally known as "Ad Limina Apostolorum" (to the threshold of the Apostles), is a required periodic visit by bishops to Rome to meet with the Pope and report on the state of their dioceses.

Message of Hope Amid Economic Challenges

Speaking on the 2025 World Communication Week, Bishop Mamza shared that this year's theme is centered on 'Hope.' The full theme, "Share with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts," comes at a crucial time for Nigerians facing economic hardships.

"This is a call on Nigerians to have hope in the face of the widespread hopelessness that the austere economy has foisted on the country," Bishop Mamza explained. He urged all Nigerians to extend love and goodwill to their neighbors and give them reason for hope despite the challenging circumstances.

The scheduled meeting between Nigerian Catholic bishops and Pope Cardinal Robert Prevost represents a significant moment for the Catholic Church in Nigeria, which boasts one of Africa's largest Catholic populations.