Pope Leo XIV has appointed Father Edward Daniang Daleng as vice-regent of the Prefecture of the Papal Household, the “inner circle” that serves the pontiff in the Vatican. The Holy See Press Office announced the appointment on November 10, 2025. This Nigerian priest, a member of the Augustinians — the religious order from which Pope Leo XIV comes — will assist the current regent, Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza.
Fr. Edward Daniang Daleng joins the team that organizes the Pope's non-liturgical activities at the Vatican and in visits to Italy, in a newly created position.
Composed of six people, the Prefecture of the Papal Household is the body responsible for managing the pope's activities, with the exception of liturgical ceremonies. It’s in charge of the pope's antechamber service during visits, the organization of the spiritual exercises of the pope and the Roman Curia, and papal visits to the Vatican, Rome, and Italy.
It also organizes the Pontifical Chapel (all those who directly assist the Pope in his spiritual duties) and the Pontifical Family (all the chaplains of His Holiness and apostolic pro-notaries).
Changes in recent years
The apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium (2022) currently governs the functioning of the Roman Curia. It provides that the Prefecture of the Papal Household shall be headed by a prefect. The most recent prefect, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, was also Benedict XVI's secretary until his death on December 31, 2022. Archbishop Gänswein was then relieved of the position in February 2023.
Since then, the prefect's right-hand man, the regent Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, has been in charge of the Prefecture. He’s often seen alongside the pontiff. The position of vice-regent, which Father Daleng will occupy, was created by Pope Leo XIV and isn’t provided for in Praedicate Evangelium.
FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/East News
The new vice-regent’s background
A native of Yitla'ar, in central Nigeria, and aged 48, Edward Daniang Daleng joined the Order of St. Augustine in 2001. That’s the same year Robert Francis Prevost became its prior general. He took his solemn vows in 2004 and was ordained a priest in 2005. In 2012, he obtained his doctorate in moral theology at the Alphonsian Academy in Rome.
From 2013 to 2025, Father Daleng served as a member of his order's general council as assistant for Africa. He was also appointed procurator general of the Order of Saint Augustine in 2015. This made him the person responsible for his order's relations with the Holy See and the Pope.
