Pope Leo XIV on Saturday met with members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria who are currently on their Ad Limina Apostolorum visit to Rome.
The Ad Limina Apostolorum visit is a longstanding tradition in the Catholic Church where bishops from different countries travel to Rome to meet the Pope and present reports on the pastoral conditions, progress and challenges facing their dioceses.
The meeting followed the conclusion of the Nigerian bishops’ conference where several key issues affecting the church in Nigeria were discussed.
A video shared by the Vatican on social media showed the bishops presenting gifts to Pope Leo XIV during the meeting.
Reports indicate that the Nigerian delegation was divided into two groups for the visit. An earlier group of 37 bishops met the Pope on March 6, while a second group of 35 bishops held their meeting with the pontiff on Saturday.
The discussions during the Ad Limina visit typically focus on pastoral responsibilities, the growth of the church and challenges facing the faithful in each region.
Pope Leo XIV, who was elected on May 8, 2025, officially began his papacy with his inauguration on May 18, 2025. Since assuming office he has continued to meet with bishops from around the world as part of the Vatican’s tradition of strengthening ties with local churches.
The pontiff is also expected to make his first apostolic journey to Africa in April. The trip will include visits to several countries including Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.
The planned tour is expected to further strengthen the Vatican’s relationship with Catholic communities across the African continent.
Leave a comment