By Charles Igwe
The Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty, was officially welcomed as the diplomatic representative of Pope Francis to the country in a formal ceremony held at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, January 30, 2025. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received the Nuncio, along with three other newly appointed ambassadors, as they presented their Letters of Credence.
Archbishop Crotty, who serves as the Pope’s ambassador and liaison to Nigeria, used the occasion to convey the heartfelt greetings and prayers of His Holiness, Pope Francis, to the President and the entire nation. In a spirit of goodwill and fraternity, he reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to fostering strong diplomatic and ecclesiastical relations with Nigeria.
President Tinubu, in his response, expressed gratitude for the invaluable contributions of the Catholic Church to the country’s development, particularly in the area of education. He acknowledged the Church’s long-standing role in providing quality learning institutions, moral formation, and humanitarian services that have positively impacted the nation.
The event was a distinguished diplomatic affair, with the Apostolic Nuncio presenting his credentials alongside the High Commissioners of Canada and Sierra Leone and the Ambassador of Ethiopia. A Letter of Credence is an official document through which a Head of State formally recognizes a foreign envoy, granting them the authority to represent their country or, in the case of the Apostolic Nuncio, the Holy See.
As the official representative of Pope Francis, Archbishop Crotty will continue to serve as a bridge between the Vatican and Nigeria, fostering dialogue, cooperation, and mutual engagement on matters of faith, governance, and social development.
