Pope Leo XIV has appointed Edward Daleng, an Augustinian Nigerian priest, as the new vice-regent of the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household, the Vatican announced on Monda.
The Prefecture of the Papal Household is one of the oldest and most important offices in the Vatican, responsible for managing the pope’s engagements and ensuring that his public and private activities are conducted with precision, decorum, and in accordance with tradition.
As vice-regent, Daleng will assist Archbishop Leonardo Sapienza, the regent, in organising the pope’s audiences, including meetings with heads of state, diplomats, and church leaders. He will also help coordinate official visits, papal ceremonies, and oversee the operations of the papal apartments and the logistical aspects of Pope Leo’s daily life.
While the role of vice-regent is not formally defined in the Catholic Constitution, it is seen as a way to gradually introduce Daleng to the complex workings of the Vatican household.
Daleng brings extensive experience to the position, having previously served as general counsellor and procurator general of the Order of Saint Augustine in Rome. In that role, he liaised between Augustinian provinces worldwide and represented the Order before the Holy See.
Born on April 4, 1977, in Yitla’ar, Kwalla, Plateau State, Daleng was ordained a priest on September 10, 2005. He earned a doctorate in moral theology from the Alphonsian Academy in 2012.
In a Vatican media interview shortly after Pope Leo’s election, Daleng praised the pontiff’s deep connection to Africa. “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.”
Daleng’s appointment marks a significant moment, as it follows Pope Leo’s visits to Abuja and other parts of Nigeria, where he engaged with Augustinian members and the wider Catholic community—an unprecedented experience for an Augustinian priest in the country.
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