President Bola Tinubu has appointed Senate President Dr. Godswill Akpabio to lead Nigeria’s delegation to Vatican City for the burial of His Holiness, Pope Francis, scheduled for Saturday, April 26. The delegation also includes Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu; President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji; Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah; and Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Ignatius Ayua Kaigama. Pope Francis, the beloved leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, just a day after leading Easter Sunday celebrations at the Vatican. The Nigerian delegation is expected to deliver a condolence letter from President Tinubu to the Acting Head of the Vatican, expressing the nation’s sympathy over the Pope’s passing. Earlier on Monday, President Tinubu joined Catholics and Christians around the world in mourning the Pontiff, whom he hailed as “a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.” In his tribute, President Tinubu noted that the Pope’s passing, shortly after Easter, marked a sacred homecoming to his Creator at a time of renewed spiritual hope.