Akpabio Heads Nigerian Delegation for Pope Francis’ Burial

Akpabio (News Central TV) Akpabio (News Central TV)

President Bola Tinubu has dispatched a delegation led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the Vatican City to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88.

In a statement released on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, it was announced that the Senate President will head the five-member delegation attending the funeral.

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

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Akpabio Heads Nigerian Delegation for Pope Francis' Burial
People queue to pay their respects as late Pope Francis lies in state in a coffin at St Peter’s Basilica at The Vatican, on April 25, 2025. The Vatican on April 25, 2025, said over 128,000 people have already paid their respects to Pope Francis, whose body is lying in state in St Peter’s Basilica ahead of his funeral. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)

The funeral service for the esteemed leader of the Roman Catholic Church will take place on Saturday in Vatican City.

The Nigerian delegation is expected to formally present a letter of condolence from Tinubu to the acting head of the Vatican.

On Monday, Tinubu joined the worldwide Christian community in mourning the deceased pope.

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