“Why I Had No Personal Contact  With Pope Leo XIV” – Peter Obi

By Adesina Soyooye

Peter Obi, a Papal Knight and Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Election has opted not  to allow his critics wallow in ignorance over why he did not personally meet with Pope Leo XIV during the Pontiff’s  inauguration at the Vatican.

Obi had retuned to the Vatican after he came back from same Vatican where he had attended the funeral of the immediate past Pontiff, Late Pope Francis.

Having just returned from that funeral, he had no plans of going back for the inauguration of the new Pope. But a phone call from the Vatican which insisted on his presence at the inauguration changed all that. He went, witnessed the high Profile event from a vantage position, and even had a one-on-one with President Bola Tinubu, leader of the Nigerian Delegation who was personally invited by the Pope.

Since his return, critics, ignorant of protocol, have been taunting him because he did not, like President Bola Tinubu, shake hands with the Pope.

Ignorant as that was, Obi has patiently tutored them as to why. In a statement title:

“Back from the Vatican”, Obi wrote:

“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 States 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.”