Mathew Amaechi
Peter Obi returned from the Vatican on Monday, describing his attendance at Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration as a solemn and reflective pilgrimage devoid of political undertones. In a statement on X, he stressed that the ceremony’s profound moral and spiritual significance should remain “untouched by politics,” urging Nigerians to focus instead on the Pope’s call for poverty alleviation, brotherhood, and the fight against corruption.
Obi underscored that while he did not meet Pope Francis personally—reserving the Papal Audience for heads of state—what truly matters is acting on the homily’s message by investing in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social justice.
Peter Obi captured his Vatican trip as “deeply solemn and reflective,” likening it to other inaugurations and swearing-in ceremonies he has observed around the world—none of which he regards through a political lens. He emphasized that “some moments are best reserved for quiet contemplation” and insisted that “this was never a political event and should remain untouched by politics”
He urged Nigerians to focus not on ceremonial participation, but on the “content and moral force contained in the Pope’s homily”
Referring to Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural homily, Obi highlighted the Holy Father’s urgent plea to “fight poverty” and “promote a spirit of brotherhood beyond ethnic, political, and religious divides.”
He described the Pope’s message as “piercing in its simplicity and urgency,” framing true faith as being “expressed through action, not words”
Obi asserted that “the fight against corruption is the essential first step toward building societies where resources are directed to what truly matters—education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and infrastructure”
He urged public officials to prioritize these areas, calling on Nigerians in authority to “commit to building a more just, compassionate, and prosperous nation”
During the installation mass of Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, Obi briefly exchanged greetings with President Bola Tinubu and former Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi inside St. Peter’s Basilica, reinforcing a shared commitment among Nigerian leaders to translate the Vatican’s message into concrete reform at home.
The encounter—later shared by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga on X—served as a symbolic moment of unity, as all three leaders stood together under the Vatican’s dome.
Closing his reflections, Obi reminded Nigerians that “a new Nigeria is not just a dream—it is within reach,” reaffirming his dedication to transforming the Vatican’s moral imperatives into tangible reforms at home. He called on citizens and leaders alike to heed the Pope’s call, ensuring that the spiritual lessons from the Vatican inspire real-world change across Nigeria.
