Pope meets with President of Liberia

April 5, 2014: Pope Francis on Saturday, received in audience Ms Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, She subsequently went on to meet with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by the Secretary for Relations with States, Dominique Mamberti.

During the cordial discussions, emphasis was placed on the good relations between the Holy See and Liberia, and satisfaction was expressed regarding the positive progress made in strengthening the country’s democratic structures. Particular appreciation was shown for the Church’s commitment to peace and national reconciliation, as well as her important contribution in the fields of social welfare and education. Finally, there was an exchange of views on the current international and regional situation, with special reference to areas of crisis.

The Nobel Prize winner and Africa’s first female head of state is also Co-Chair of the High –level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, which is the successor framework to the Millenium Development goals.

Earlier at a press conference held at the Headquarters of the World Food Programme (WFP) on Friday to unveil Food Security and nutrition targets for the Post 2015 agenda, the President told Vatican Radio that Pope Francis’ comments on the issue of poverty are powerful.

“The words of the Holy Father are going to reverberate, the examples he sets are going to be so inspiring, certainly what he says about addressing poverty is very consistent with the agenda but he brings to it this powerful force and so I’m going to be listening to him and taking back every word that he says to be able to help to inspire me to do more in that area.” She said.