Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr. Edward Daleng O.S.A., a Nigerian priest, as the new Vice Regent of the Pontifical Household, one of the Vatican’s most prestigious offices.
The appointment was officially announced on Monday, November 10, 2025, by the Vatican.
The Prefecture of the Papal Household oversees the pope’s daily engagements, audiences, and ceremonies, ensuring that each event is conducted with precision, tradition, and decorum.
As Vice Regent, Fr. Daleng will work closely with Archbishop Leonardo Sapienza, the current Regent, to coordinate the pope’s private and public audiences, including meetings with world leaders, diplomats, and religious figures.
He will also assist in managing papal ceremonies, official visits, and the logistics of the papal apartments, helping maintain order in the pope’s day-to-day life.
Although the role of Vice Regent is not formally established in the Catholic Constitution, the new position is believed to be part of an effort to gradually integrate Daleng into the leadership structure of the Vatican household.
Fr. Daleng previously served as General Counsellor and Procurator General of the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.).
Born on April 4, 1977, in Yitla’ar, Kwalla, Plateau State, Nigeria, he made his first profession in the Augustinian Order in 2001, took his solemn vows in 2004, and was ordained a priest in 2005. He holds a Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Alphonsian Academy, earned in 2012.
Daleng has long maintained a close relationship with Pope Leo XIV, whom he described as “a man who has Africa in his heart.”
“He has visited all our African missions and has been to my country, Nigeria, several times,” Daleng said in a past interview with Vatican media.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly a senior Augustinian leader, visited Abuja during his tenure but has not yet returned to Africa since his election as pope on May 18, 2025.
