Pope Leo XIV has approved the appointment of Rev. Fr. Anthony Onyemuche Ekpo as the new Assessor for General Affairs in the Vatican Secretariat of State, marking yet another significant elevation for the Nigerian-born priest within a short period. The announcement, released on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, signals the second major Vatican appointment involving Ekpo in just one month.
Fr. Ekpo, aged 44, takes over from Fr. Roberto Campisi, who was recently assigned as the Holy See’s permanent observer to UNESCO. In this strategic role, Ekpo will supervise and coordinate matters relating to Catholic international bodies that operate under the Vatican’s oversight, ensuring alignment with the Church’s global mission and administrative direction.
A Growing Presence in the Holy See
Ekpo’s connection with the Vatican dates back to 2016 when he commenced his service in the Secretariat’s Section for General Affairs. For six years—from 2016 until 2023—he contributed to this key administrative division that handles day-to-day governance and papal correspondence. His competence later earned him a higher appointment in 2023, when Pope Francis named him Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, where he worked closely with its Prefect, Cardinal Michael Czerny.
In expressing gratitude after his latest appointment, Ekpo acknowledged his colleagues at the Dicastery for their friendship and partnership, thanking them for the years they worked together. He prayed for renewed strength and the grace to serve with “joy, passion, and dedication,” adding that his aim is to support the Vatican’s mission by cooperating fully with the superiors and staff of his new office.
Academic and Priestly Background
Fr. Ekpo hails from the Diocese of Umuahia and was ordained a Catholic priest in 2011. He later pursued advanced studies abroad, earning a PhD in Systematic Theology from the Australian Catholic University in 2013, followed by a doctorate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 2021. His linguistic abilities—fluency in English, Italian, French, and Igbo—enhance his effectiveness in international ecclesiastical service.
A Month of Notable Nigerian Appointments
His elevation comes barely weeks after Pope Leo XIV appointed another Nigerian priest, Fr. Edward Daniang Daleng, as Vice Regent of the Papal Household—one of the most senior administrative roles responsible for organizing papal audiences and ceremonies. These back-to-back appointments highlight the increasing visibility and influence of Nigerian clergy within the global Catholic hierarchy.