Pope  Francis 1

Muhammad Bello

Senate President David Mark is to lead a high powered delegation to the Vatican March 19 to represent the government at the formal installation of Pope Francis.

Other members of the delegation are the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs), Prof. Viola Onwuliri and the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama.

The delegation, appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan, said his Special Adviser on media on Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, also includes the Chaplain of the Presidential Villa Chapel, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John Kennedy Opara.

In addition to attending the new Pope’s inauguration mass at the Vatican City, the delegation will also convey a congratulatory letter from President Jonathan to Pope Francis who was elected by the College of Cardinals on Wednesday, March 13, to succeed Pope Benedict XVI.