Akpabio Leads Nigerian Delegation To Pope Francis Funeral In Vatican City

President Bola Tinubu has sent a high-powered delegation to Vatican City to attend the burial of His Holiness, Pope Francis, on Saturday, April 26.

According to a statement by Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio is at the head of the five-member delegation.

Other members of the delegation are the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN); Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, and Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Ignatius Ayua Kaigama.

Pope Francis, the revered head of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 88, just a day after appearing for Easter Sunday celebrations at the Vatican.

The delegation will formally deliver a letter conveying President Tinubu’s sympathy and condolences on Pope Francis’ passing to the Acting Head of the Vatican.

On Monday, President Tinubu joined the Catholic faithful and Christians worldwide to mourn 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 the condolence message, President Tinubu remarked that Pope Francis’ death, coming just after the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, was a sacred return to his maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians.