Seyi Tinubu, son of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, was on Sunday in Rome stopped from greeting the newly elected Pope Leo XIV during his inauguration event.

The incident happened during a special mass at the Vatican, held to mark the beginning of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church.

President Tinubu was among the invited world leaders at the ceremony.

As the Nigerian president was led forward by two senior Catholic clerics to meet the Pope, Seyi Tinubu followed closely behind. However, a Vatican protocol officer stepped in and politely blocked him from moving closer to the Pope.

While President Tinubu exchanged greetings with the pontiff, his son was directed away, unable to shake hands or interact directly with the Pope.

Since his father assumed office, Seyi Tinubu has often been seen travelling with him on official trips. However, critics have raised questions about his presence at high-level events where he holds no official government role.