Pope Leo appoints Nigerian priest as vice regent of papal household

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Edward Daleng, an Augustinian priest, as the new vice-regent of the prefecture of the pontifical household.

The Vatican announced Daleng’s appointment on Monday.

The prefecture of the papal household is one of the Vatican’s oldest and most vital offices. It oversees the pope’s engagements and ensures that they proceed with precision, decorum, and in line with tradition.

As vice regent, Daleng will work alongside Leonardo Sapienza, an archbishop and the regent, to organise the pope’s private and public audiences, including meetings with heads of state, diplomats, and church leaders.

Daleng will also play a role in coordinating official visits and papal ceremonies, and overseeing the operations of the papal apartments and logistics surrounding Leo’s daily life.

The Praedicate Evangelium provides that the prefecture be composed of a prefect and a regent, assisted by several officials.

While the role of a vice regent is not formally recognised by the Catholic Constitution, it is believed that the new position would allow for a gradual introduction to the intricate machinery of the Vatican household.

Daleng previously served as general counsellor and procurator general of the Order of Saint Augustine in Rome, a position that required him to liaise between Augustinian provinces worldwide and represent the Order before the Holy See.

He was born on April 4, 1977, in Yitla’ar, Kwalla, Plateau state.

Daleng was ordained a priest on September 10, 2005, and obtained a doctorate in moral theology from the Alphonsian Academy in 2012.

In an interview with Vatican media shortly after Leo’s election as pope, Daleng spoke glowingly about the supreme pontiff.

“He has Africa in his heart,” Daleng said.

“He has visited all our African missions several times and has come to my country, Nigeria, on at least ten occasions, including in 2016, when we celebrated for the first time the intermediate General Chapter.”

Leo had visited Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, as part of his duties as an Augustinian leader, engaging with members of the order and the broader Catholic community.

It was the first time an Augustinian priest would visit the country.