Pope appoints Augustinian friar as “vice-regent” of Papal Household

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).

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.

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.