The Nigerian government has sent a high-level delegation to Vatican City to attend the burial of His Holiness, Pope Francis, scheduled for Saturday, 26 April.
Leading the five-member delegation is the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The other members include the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu; the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji; the Archbishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Archbishop Matthew Hassan Kukah; and the Archbishop of the Abuja Diocese, Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama.
In a statement issued by the Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, it was revealed that the delegation will formally present a letter conveying President Tinubu’s sympathy and condolences on the passing of Pope Francis to the acting head of the Vatican.
Pope Francis, the revered leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Monday, 21 April 2025, at the age of 88, a day after appearing for Easter Sunday celebrations at the Vatican.
On Monday, President Tinubu joined Catholic faithful and Christians around the world in mourning the death of Pope Francis, whom he described as “A humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.”
In his condolence message, President Tinubu noted that Pope Francis’s death, coming shortly after the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, symbolised a sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians.
