•Pope Leo and Fr. Anthony Daleng
Pope Leo has appointed a Nigerian priest, Rev. Fr. Anthony Daleng, as Vice Regent of the Papal Household.
Fr. Daleng will assist Archbishop Leonardo Sapienza, the current Regent, in coordinating papal audiences and managing logistics for Pope Leo’s daily schedule and official functions.
The Prefecture of the Papal Household oversees the Pope’s public and private engagements, including audiences with heads of state, diplomats, church leaders, and the administration of the Apostolic Palace.
Although the role of Vice Regent is not formally outlined in Praedicate Evangelium — the apostolic constitution governing the Roman Curia—Vatican observers say the appointment reflects Pope Leo’s effort to bring fresh leadership and broaden global representation within the Vatican.
Fr. Daleng, 48, from Yitla’ar, Kwalla, Plateau State, 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 to Vatican Media, Fr. Daleng highlighted Pope Leo’s long-standing relationship with Africa, saying, “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, an Augustinian, last visited Nigeria in 2016 during the Order’s Intermediate General Chapter, further strengthening ties between the Vatican and Nigeria’s growing Catholic community.
