Akpabio Leads Nigerian Delegation to Vatican for Pope Francis’ Funeral
Senate President Godswill Akpabio is leading a five-member Nigerian delegation to Vatican City for the funeral of Pope Francis, scheduled to hold on Saturday.
This was announced in a statement issued on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy.
Other members of the delegation 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 Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah; and Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Ayua Kaigama.
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According to the statement, the delegation will officially deliver a condolence letter from President Tinubu to the Acting Head of the Vatican, expressing Nigeria’s sympathies over the Pope’s demise.
Earlier in the week, President Tinubu joined Catholics and Christians around the world in mourning the late pontiff, describing him as “a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.”
Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, just a day after he presided over Easter Sunday celebrations at the Vatican. Tinubu remarked that the timing of the Pope’s passing, so soon after Easter, symbolized “a sacred return to his Maker” and offered renewed hope to Christians worldwide.
By PRNigeria
