Benin's Ambassador to the Holy See speaks about the papal visit

Benin’s Ambassador to the Holy See said Pope Benedict’s visit to the African nation this week is a “very big encouragement” for the people of Benin and the whole of Africa. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Vatican Radio, Ambassador Theodore Loko notes that the papal visit to Benin coincides with celebrations there marking the 150^th anniversary of the start of Christian evangelisation.

Asked about the importance of Pope Benedict’s visit, the Ambassador says great emphasis should be put on the contents of the post-synodal apostolic exhortation of the Second Synod of Bishops for Africa that will be signed and handed over by Pope Benedict during his stay in Benin.

Another key moment will be the Pope’s visit to the tomb of the Beninese Cardinal Bernardin Gantin who died in 2008. Ambassador Loko said Pope Benedict had told him that the late cardinal was “an African who gave a lot to the world” and added that he is the subject of much pride and is seen in his native Benin as “a model of service.”

Listen to the entire interview with Theodore Loko, Benin's Ambassador to the Holy See, done by Father Moses Hamungole of the English for Africa Programme: