By Mustapha Muhammad
A high-level Nigerian delegation, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, will depart for Vatican City to attend the burial of Pope Francis on Saturday, April 26.
The delegation was appointed by President Bola Tinubu to represent Nigeria at the solemn event.
Joining Akpabio are 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 of Sokoto Diocese; and Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama of Abuja Diocese.
Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Monday, April 21, at the age of 88. His death came just one day after he presided over Easter Sunday services at the Vatican.
The Nigerian delegation is expected to present a condolence letter from President Tinubu to the Vatican’s Acting Head, expressing Nigeria’s grief over the Pope’s demise.
Earlier this week, Tinubu mourned the late pontiff, calling him “a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.”
The President noted that Pope Francis’ passing, shortly after Easter, symbolized “a sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians.”
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