Nigerian businessman and billionaire, Femi Otedola, celebrates Pope Leoโs emergence as the new Vatican leader, praising his spiritual strength and global influence in Christianity.
These congratulatory messages come days after Pope Leo XIV was appointed to be the new head of the Vatican church.
Femi, who is said to be the Augustine University, Ilara in Osun State, made a post on his social media page.
Femi Otedola’s Congratulatory message to Pope Leo
Otedola is one of the richest African businessmen and chancellor of a Vatican university in Osun State, shared a picture of the new Pope when he visited Nigeria some years back. He said:
“As Chancellor of Augustine University Ilara, I, Femi Otedola CON, proudly congratulate our new Pope, Leo XIV โ a faithful Augustinian, the very heritage our university is built on.
His Holiness visited our Augustinian community in Abuja in 2016. @VaticanNews May God guide him as he leads 1.5 billion Catholics worldwide. Long live the Pope!”.
See Femi Otedola’s congratulatory post below:
Pope Leo’s appointment following his predecessor’s death
Days after Pope Francis passed away, the Vatican was to appoint a new leader who would lead the catholic devotee. The election began when the elders were locked up in a conclave, deliberating on who was stepping in to fill the vacant position.
After some days, the bells of St. Peterโs Basilica soon followed, their triumphant chimes echoing across Vatican City, and a ripple of joy spread through the crowds gathered in St. Peterโs Square. As of May 8, 2025, the Roman Catholic Church has a new pope.
READ ALSO: Pope Francis involved in an accident
For millions of Catholics around the globe, this sacred moment is more than just a religious ceremonyโit is a profound spiritual event.
The white smoke is a symbol of unity, faith, and continuity, a tradition that has stood for centuries.
This time, it came after three rounds of voting among the 133 cardinal electors, each casting their ballots under the solemn frescoes of Michelangelo, in the privacy and sanctity of the Sistine Chapel.
The conclaveโs process is one steeped in tradition. After a pope dies or resigns, the College of Cardinals gathers in absolute secrecy, sworn to silence under an oath.
The cardinals pray, deliberate, and vote, each seeking divine guidance to choose the next shepherd for the worldโs 1.4 billion Catholics.
A two-thirds majority is requiredโat least 89 votes in this 2025 conclave.
When a consensus is reached, the ballots are burned with a chemical mixture that produces white smokeโa sight that sends waves of excitement through the faithful waiting outside.
Until that moment, the smoke had been black, signalling incomplete rounds of voting.
In St. Peterโs Square, a sea of pilgrims, tourists, and clergy erupted in celebration at the sight of the white smoke.
Some waved flags, others knelt in prayer, while many simply gazed at the chimney, tears streaming down their faces.
Smartphones captured the moment, and social media buzzed with the news: “We have a new pope!”
But the mystery did not end with the smoke. Inside the Sistine Chapel, the chosen cardinal was being asked the fateful question: “Do you accept your election as Supreme Pontiff?” If he answered “yes,” he was then asked what name he would takeโa name that often reflects his vision for his papacy.
Leave a Reply