President Bola Tinubu has dispatched a high-level delegation to Vatican City to represent Nigeria at the funeral of His Holiness, Pope Francis, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025.
Leading the five-member delegation is Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Other members include Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu; President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji; Archbishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah; and Archbishop of the Abuja Diocese, Ignatius Ayau Kaigama.
The delegation will formally deliver a letter of condolence from President Tinubu to the Acting Head of the Vatican, expressing Nigeria’s sympathy over the passing of Pope Francis.
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Pope Francis, who served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church and a global voice for peace and justice, passed away on Monday, April 21, at the age of 88.
His death came just one day after he appeared for Easter Sunday celebrations, leaving millions of faithful around the world in mourning.
In a statement on Monday, President Tinubu joined Catholics and Christians globally in grieving the loss, describing the Pope as “a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.”
Reflecting on the timing of the Pope’s passing – shortly after Easter – the President said it signified “a sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians.”
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