Vatican City, April 25, 2025 – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has dispatched a distinguished delegation to attend the funeral of His Holiness, Pope Francis, on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Senate President Godswill Akpabio is leading the five-member delegation, which represents the country’s highest levels of government and the Catholic Church.
The delegation includes 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, Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese; and Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama, Archbishop of Abuja Diocese.
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. His death has been met with deep sorrow from Catholics and Christians worldwide.
As part of the official visit, the Nigerian delegation will deliver a letter of sympathy and condolences from President Tinubu to the Acting Head of the Vatican, acknowledging Pope Francis’ death and his invaluable contributions to the global community.
In a heartfelt tribute, President Tinubu expressed his grief over the passing of Pope Francis, calling him “a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.” The President noted that the Pope’s death, occurring shortly after the Easter celebrations, symbolized a sacred return to his Maker during a time of renewed hope for Christians around the world.
The funeral will be held on April 26, 2025, marking the end of an era for the Roman Catholic Church.
