Pope Leo XIV Names Nigerian Priest Vice-Regent of Papal Household
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Nigerian Augustinian priest Edward Daleng as the vice-regent of the prefecture of the papal household, the Vatican announced on Monday.
The prefecture, one of the Vatican’s oldest and most important offices, is responsible for managing the pope’s engagements and ensuring that all events are carried out smoothly, with dignity and according to tradition.
As vice-regent, Daleng will work closely with Archbishop Leonardo Sapienza, the regent, to organise the pope’s private and public meetings, including interactions with heads of state, diplomats, and church officials.
He will also assist in coordinating official visits, overseeing papal ceremonies, and managing the operations of the papal apartments and daily arrangements for Pope Leo.
Although the position of vice-regent is not officially outlined in the Catholic Constitution, it is viewed as a way to gradually introduce Daleng to the complex workings of the Vatican household.
Daleng previously held the role of general counsellor and procurator general of the Order of Saint Augustine in Rome, representing Augustinian provinces globally before the Holy See.
Born on April 4, 1977, in Yitla’ar, Kwalla, Plateau State, Daleng was ordained in 2005 and earned a doctorate in moral theology from the Alphonsian Academy in 2012.
In an interview following Pope Leo’s election, Daleng described the pontiff as having “Africa in his heart,” noting the pope’s frequent visits to African missions, including Nigeria, which he visited at least ten times, including in 2016 during the intermediate General Chapter.
Pope Leo’s visit to Abuja marked the first time an Augustinian priest had visited the country, where he engaged with members of the order and the wider Catholic community.
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