Pope Leo promotes another Nigerian Priest in Vatican

Pope Leo has approved the appointment of Monsignor Anthony Onyemuche Ekpo as the new Assessor for General Affairs in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State.

Before this elevation, Msgr. Ekpo served as Undersecretary at the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

A priest of the Umuahia Diocese, Ekpo was born in Umudike on 24 September 1981 and ordained on 30 July 2011.

This marks the second significant Vatican appointment involving a Nigerian within the month. Earlier, Pope Leo selected Fr. Edward Daleng from Plateau State as Vice Regent of the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household, where he will assist in coordinating the Pope’s non-liturgical schedules and engagements.

Ekpo, who holds advanced qualifications in systematic theology and canon law, began working for the Holy See on 5 September 2016 in the Section for General Affairs. He was later promoted to Undersecretary in April 2023.

His latest assignment makes him the third most senior figure in the Section for General Affairs, following the Secretary of State and the Substitute.

As Assessor, Ekpo will work closely with the Substitute to oversee the Church’s day-to-day administrative functions—including curial coordination, personnel matters, release of official documents, diplomatic issues, and supervision of the papal seal and the Fisherman’s Ring.

The Section for General Affairs also supports papal representatives (nuncios) around the world in matters related to dioceses and local churches.