President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dispatched a high-powered Nigerian delegation to the Vatican City to attend the burial ceremony of the late head of the Roman Catholic Church, His Holiness Pope Francis, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025.
The five-member delegation is led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and includes notable figures from Nigeria’s religious and diplomatic spheres. Other members are:
Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria
Archbishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Archbishop of the Sokoto Diocese
Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama, Archbishop of the Abuja Diocese
The delegation’s mission includes delivering a formal letter of condolence from President Tinubu to the Acting Head of the Vatican, expressing Nigeria’s sorrow and solidarity with the global Catholic community.
Pope Francis passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. His death came just one day after he appeared at the Vatican for Easter Sunday celebrations, sparking global mourning and tributes from world leaders and religious figures alike.
President Tinubu, in a heartfelt condolence message, described the late Pope as “a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.” He further reflected that the Pope’s passing—so close to the celebration of Christ’s resurrection—symbolizes a sacred return to his Maker during a moment of hope and renewal for Christians worldwide.
The President’s decision to include leading Catholic archbishops in the delegation highlights Nigeria’s strong Catholic community and the country’s diplomatic and spiritual ties with the Vatican. The inclusion of figures like Archbishop Kukah and Archbishop Kaigama underscores the weight of the moment, both nationally and internationally.
The burial of Pope Francis is expected to draw dignitaries, heads of state, and religious leaders from around the world, making it one of the most significant religious gatherings of the decade.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dispatched a high-powered Nigerian delegation to the Vatican City to attend the burial ceremony of the late head of the Roman Catholic Church, His Holiness Pope Francis, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025.
The five-member delegation is led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and includes notable figures from Nigeria’s religious and diplomatic spheres. Other members are:
Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria
Archbishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Archbishop of the Sokoto Diocese
Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama, Archbishop of the Abuja Diocese
The delegation’s mission includes delivering a formal letter of condolence from President Tinubu to the Acting Head of the Vatican, expressing Nigeria’s sorrow and solidarity with the global Catholic community.
Pope Francis passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. His death came just one day after he appeared at the Vatican for Easter Sunday celebrations, sparking global mourning and tributes from world leaders and religious figures alike.
President Tinubu, in a heartfelt condolence message, described the late Pope as “a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.” He further reflected that the Pope’s passing—so close to the celebration of Christ’s resurrection—symbolizes a sacred return to his Maker during a moment of hope and renewal for Christians worldwide.
The President’s decision to include leading Catholic archbishops in the delegation highlights Nigeria’s strong Catholic community and the country’s diplomatic and spiritual ties with the Vatican. The inclusion of figures like Archbishop Kukah and Archbishop Kaigama underscores the weight of the moment, both nationally and internationally.
The burial of Pope Francis is expected to draw dignitaries, heads of state, and religious leaders from around the world, making it one of the most significant religious gatherings of the decade.
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