Pope Leo XIV has named Edward Daleng, a Nigerian-born Augustinian priest, as the new vice-regent of the prefecture of the papal household. The Vatican announced the appointment on Monday.
The prefecture, one of the oldest institutions in the Vatican, manages the pope’s daily schedule, official engagements, and audiences with global leaders, ensuring that papal ceremonies maintain order and tradition.
Daleng will serve under Archbishop Leonardo Sapienza, the regent of the prefecture, and will assist in planning papal meetings, audiences, and ceremonies, as well as coordinating the logistics of the papal residence.
Although the position of vice-regent is not formally defined in the Vatican’s constitution, it is seen as a transitional role to help Daleng integrate into the workings of the papal household.
Before his appointment, Daleng was the general counsellor and procurator general of the Order of Saint Augustine in Rome, representing the Order before the Holy See and managing its affairs across continents.
Born on April 4, 1977, in Yitla’ar, Kwalla, Plateau State, he was ordained in 2005 and earned a doctorate in moral theology from the Alphonsian Academy in 2012.
In a past interview, he described Pope Leo as a leader deeply connected to Africa, noting that “he has Africa in his heart.”
He recalled that Leo, during his time as an Augustinian superior, had visited Nigeria at least ten times, including in 2016, marking the first visit by an Augustinian priest to the country.
