President Bola Tinubu has dispatched a five-member delegation to Vatican City for the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88.

According to a statement issued on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the delegation is led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Other members include Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria; Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto Diocese; and Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama of Abuja Diocese.

The funeral service for the revered head of the Roman Catholic Church is scheduled for Saturday at the Vatican. The Nigerian delegation is expected to formally deliver a condolence letter from President Tinubu to the acting head of the Vatican.

Earlier on Monday, Tinubu had joined the global Christian community in mourning the late pontiff, describing him as “a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.” Tinubu noted that Pope Francis’ passing, shortly after Easter Sunday, symbolized “a sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians.”