Pope Leo has appointed Nigerian Priest, Rev. Fr. Anthony Daleng as the Vice Regent of the Papal Household.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that in a historic appointment that underscores Nigeria’s growing prominence in the global Catholic community, Pope Leo has named Rev. Fr. Anthony Daleng, a Nigerian priest, as Vice Regent of the Papal Household.
Fr. Daleng will work alongside Archbishop Leonardo Sapienza, the current Regent, to coordinate papal audiences, manage the Pope’s daily schedule, and oversee official functions at the Vatican.
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The Prefecture of the Papal Household is responsible for organizing all of the Pope’s public and private engagements, including meetings with world leaders, diplomats, and church dignitaries, as well as the administration of the Apostolic Palace.
Although the position of Vice Regent is not explicitly mentioned in Praedicate Evangelium, the apostolic constitution that restructured the Roman Curia, Vatican sources describe the appointment as part of Pope Leo’s drive to enhance diversity and global inclusion within Vatican leadership.
Born in Yitla’ar, Kwalla, Plateau State, Fr. Daleng, 48, was ordained in 2005. He previously served as General Counsellor and Procurator General of the Order of Saint Augustine in Rome and holds a Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Alphonsian Academy.
Speaking with Vatican Media, Fr. Daleng praised Pope Leo’s deep connection with Africa, noting:
“He has Africa in his heart. He has visited our African missions several times and has come to Nigeria on at least ten occasions.”
Pope Leo, himself a member of the Order of Saint Augustine, last visited Nigeria in 2016 during the Order’s Intermediate General Chapter, a trip that reinforced the Vatican’s bond with Nigeria’s fast-growing Catholic population.
Fr. Daleng’s appointment is widely celebrated as another major recognition of the Nigerian Church’s contribution to global Catholicism.
