A video clip has shown the moment the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, was stopped from accessing the Very Very Important Person (VVIP) section during the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.
The event, held on Sunday, marked the official commencement of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church. It was attended by global dignitaries, including Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who was among a select few granted personal audience with the Pope.
While President Tinubu was seen exchanging pleasantries with the pontiff, Obi, a Catholic, was reportedly unable to gain access to the restricted section due to not having the required invitation pass.
The development sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some of the president’s supporters mocking Obi for not meeting the Pope despite his Catholic background.
In response, Obi issued a statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding his attendance and absence from the private audience.
He wrote:
“Back from the Vatican
I have just returned from the Vatican, and it was a deeply solemn and reflective visit. My participation in the inauguration ceremony was in line with my previous witnessing of inaugurations, swearing-ins, and official ceremonies across the world; this was no exception.
“Such occasions carry profound moral and spiritual significance. This was never a political event and should remain untouched by politics. Some moments are best reserved for quiet contemplation.
“After the inaugural Mass, I did not attend the Papal Audience and therefore did not have the opportunity to meet the Holy Father personally. That honour was reserved for heads of state and accredited diplomats. For those who desire such an encounter, the Papal Audience continues traditionally.
“What should truly command our attention, however, is the content and moral force contained in the Pope’s homily, particularly his urgent call to fight poverty and promote a spirit of brotherhood that transcends ethnic, political, and religious boundaries. The deeper meaning of the gathering lies not in ceremonial gestures, but in whether those present internalised his message and will return with the resolve to act.
“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. These should be our major concern and the lasting message we carry home from the Vatican. May we, in whatever station we occupy, rise to the task of building a more just, compassionate, and prosperous nation.”
Also at the event, a separate video showed Seyi Tinubu, son of the Nigerian president, being stopped by Vatican officials as he attempted to approach the Pope. While his father was formally introduced and allowed to greet the pontiff, Seyi was politely directed away from the interaction.
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