Pope Appoints Nigerian Priest as Vice Regent of Papal Household

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Nigerian priest Rev. Fr. Anthony Daleng as Vice Regent of the Papal Household, a move that underscores the Vatican’s growing recognition of the Nigerian Catholic Church’s global influence.

Fr. Daleng will assist Archbishop Leonardo Sapienza, the current Regent, in organizing papal audiences and managing the Pope’s daily schedule and official functions. The Prefecture of the Papal Household is responsible for overseeing both the Pope’s public and private engagements, including audiences with world leaders, diplomats, and members of the Church hierarchy.

Although the position of Vice Regent is not explicitly defined in *Praedicate Evangelium*, the constitution governing the Roman Curia, Vatican analysts view the appointment as part of Pope Leo’s commitment to diversity and renewal within the Church’s leadership structure.

Originally from Yitla’ar, Kwalla in Plateau State, Fr. Daleng, 48, was ordained in 2005. He has 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.

In an interview with Vatican Media, Fr. Daleng praised Pope Leo’s close connection to 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 an Augustinian, last visited Nigeria in 2016 during the Order’s Intermediate General Chapter, reinforcing the strong ties between the Vatican and Nigeria’s growing Catholic community.