Prime Minister of the Republic of Mozambique meets Pope Francis

April 11, 2013: The Holy Father on Thursday received in a private audience the Prime Minister of Mozambique, Mr. Alberto Clementino Vaquina, at the Vatican Apostolic Palace. Mr Vaquina later met Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, accompanied by Bishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial talks with Pope Francis, the Prime Minister once again congratulated the Holy Father on behalf of the people of Mozambican for His election as Pope. In continuation of the talks he has welcomed the good relations existing between the Holy See and Mozambique, thereby, further strengthening the bilateral agreement between the Parties, signed on 7 December 2011 and ratified last year. “In particular, we focused on positive contribution of the Catholic Church to the peace and development of the country, especially through its educational, charitable and welfare activities” the PM said. They also discussed and briefly reviewed some challenges and problems that are currently affecting southern Africa.