Following the historic election of Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV on May 8, Nigerians have been celebrating the new pontiff by sharing resurfaced photos from his past visit to Nigeria.
Before becoming the first U.S.-born pope, Pope Leo XIV served as the Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine—a role that brought him to various countries, including Nigeria.
During his time as superior of the Augustinian Order, he visited his fellow Augustinian brothers in the country, engaging in pastoral work and strengthening ties within the religious community.
Photos from that visit, believed to have taken place over a decade ago, show the now-pope in traditional clerical attire, smiling alongside Nigerian clergy and laypeople. The images have since gone viral across social media, with Nigerians expressing pride and joy at the connection to the new global leader of the Catholic Church.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote: “Who would have thought that the Cardinal who visited our parish would become pope one day? Nigeria remembers you, Pope Leo XIV.”
Another commented: “He visited Nigeria with humility and warmth. It’s no surprise he’s now been chosen to lead the global church.”
The resurfaced photos are not only sparking admiration but also highlighting the growing connection between the Vatican and the African continent, where Catholicism continues to expand rapidly.
Pope Leo XIV, originally from Chicago, was elected as the 266th Bishop of Rome, succeeding Pope Francis, who passed away last month.
The new pontiff’s background as a missionary and global church leader has positioned him as a bridge-builder across continents—a fact clearly celebrated by Nigerian Catholics who now proudly recall their personal brush with history.
