President Tinubu Sends High-Level Delegation to Vatican for Pope Francis’ Burial

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

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu announced that Senate President Godswill Akpabio will lead the five-member delegation to Rome for the solemn occasion.

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

According to the statement, "Pope Francis, the revered head of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, just a day after participating in Easter Sunday celebrations at the Vatican."

The delegation is tasked with formally delivering a letter of condolence from President Tinubu to the Acting Head of the Vatican, expressing Nigeria’s deep sorrow and solidarity with the Catholic Church worldwide.

On Monday, President Tinubu joined Catholic faithful and Christians around the globe in mourning Pope Francis, describing him as “a humble servant of God, a tireless advocate for the poor, and a beacon of hope for millions.”

In his condolence message, President Tinubu reflected that Pope Francis' passing, so soon after the celebration of Christ's resurrection, symbolizes a sacred return to his Creator at a time of renewed hope for Christians.

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