Pope meets Ivorian president

November 16, 2012 - Pope Benedict XVI on Friday welcomed President Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast in the Vatican. Ouattara who lead a team along with his wife, also held talks with Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone along with Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti. A Vatican statement said the talks reviewed the cordial relations between the two sides and acknowledged the contribution the Church can make to the welfare of the West African nation by encouraging peace and promoting human rights, dialogue and national reconciliation, which is the only way to unity and development. The Holy See and Ivory Coast also highlighted their fruitful collaboration in sectors such as in healthcare and education. Besides the talks also touched upon a few regional challenges that the African continent is facing, in view Ouattara’s presidency of the Economic Community of West African States.