Akpabio leads Nigerian delegation to Pope Francis’ burial

President Bola Tinubu has sent a five-member delegation led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio to Vatican City to attend the burial of Pope Francis on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

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

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this via a statement issued on Friday, April 25.

Onanuga noted that the delegation will formally deliver a letter conveying Tinubu’s sympathy and condolences on the pope’s death to the acting Head of the Vatican.

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Tinubu had, on Monday, April 21, joined the Catholic faithful and Christians worldwide to mourn the death of Francis, who he described as “a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.”

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

The Star