26 April, 2013 - Pope Francis on Friday received in the Vatican, Madagascar’s transition
president, Andry Nirina Rajoelina, who later also met Vatican Secretary of State,
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop
Dominique Mamberti. A Vatican communique said that during the cordial talks the two
sides reviewed the good relations between the Holy See and Madagascar, and touched
upon some aspects of the Indian Ocean island nation. They recalled Madagascar’s efforts
in the search for stability and democracy, greater economic development and rebuilding
international relations. The two sides underscored the important contribution of
Madagascar’s Catholic Church in support of national dialogue and its indispensable
grassroots commitment in the health and education sectors.