Pope receives the President of the Republic of Congo
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received the President of the Republic of Congo, (Congo
Brazzaville) Denis Sassou N’Guesso Monday in the Vatican. A statement released
from the Holy See Press Office said the cordial talks touched on the positive contribution
that the Catholic Church makes to Congolese society , particularly in the fields of
healthcare and education . The discussions also highlighted the good relations
that exist between the Holy See and the Republic of Congo and both the Pope and the
Preseident renewed their determination to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. Lastly
, particular attention was paid to various issues affecting Central Africa, including
a number of humanitarian situations. Special attention was given to the care of refugees
and displaced persons, as well as the problem of security in the region, also in relation
to a rise in tensions due to fundamentalism .