Senate President Godswill Akpabio leads Nigeria’s delegation to Pope’s burial at Vatican City

The Senate President Godswill Akpabio, will lead Nigeria’s five-man delegation to Vatican City to attend the burial of His Holiness, Pope Francis, on Saturday.

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

Pope Francis, 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, who he described as “a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.”