Breaking: Tinubu sends high-powered delegation to Pope Francis’ funeral

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent a  high-powered delegation to Vatican City to attend the funeral of Pope Francis.

The five man delegation is led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The delegation will formally deliver a condolence letter to the Acting Head of the Vatican, expressing President Tinubu’s sympathy on the passing of the revered Catholic leader.

Other members of the delegation include 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 of the Sokoto Diocese; and Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama of the Abuja Diocese.

Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, just a day after appearing for Easter Sunday celebrations at the Vatican. President Tinubu had earlier joined the Catholic faithful and Christians worldwide to mourn the death of Pope Francis, describing him as “a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.”