Akpabio Leads Nigeria’s Delegation To Pope Francis’ Funeral In Rome

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dispatched a distinguished delegation to Vatican City to participate in the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. The ceremony is set to take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio heads the five-member Nigerian delegation, which includes:

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 Sokoto Diocese
Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama, Archbishop of Abuja Diocese

Pope Francis, the beloved leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away a day after participating in the Easter Sunday celebrations at the Vatican. His passing marks the end of a distinguished papacy dedicated to advocating for the poor and promoting peace across the globe.

The Nigerian delegation’s primary role will be to deliver a letter of sympathy and condolences from President Tinubu to the Acting Head of the Vatican. This gesture honors Pope Francis’s legacy and reaffirms Nigeria’s solidarity with the global Catholic community.

President Tinubu expressed deep sorrow upon hearing the news, describing Pope Francis as a “humble servant of God, a tireless advocate for the poor, and a beacon of hope for millions around the world.” In his message, President Tinubu emphasized the significance of Pope Francis’s passing, coming so soon after Easter, as a symbolic return to his Creator, aligned with the Christian message of resurrection and hope
For further insights into Pope Francis’s life and legacy, refer to Vatican News.