Pope Francis meets president of Angola

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met on Friday with the President of the Republic of Angola, José Eduardo dos Santos to discuss relations between his country and the Holy See. A statement from the Vatican press office said the two leaders discussed a planned bilateral agreement regarding the legal state of the Catholic Church in the country and noted the important contribution the Church makes to education and healthcare in the southern African nation. During the audience the Pope and the President also spoke of broader national and regional challenges such as the fight against poverty and social inequality, as well as the promotion of justice, peace and reconciliation on the African continent.

 

Please find below the full English language translation of the statement from the Holy See press office:

 

Today, Friday 2 May 2014, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Francis

received in Audience the President of the Republicof Angola, His Excellency Mr. José Eduardo

dos Santos, who subsequently met with CardinalSecretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied

by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussions, the good relations between the Holy See and the Republic

of Angola were evoked. In particular, mention was made of the planned bilateral Agreement

regarding the legal state of the Catholic Church in the country. In this context, reference was also

made to the important contribution offered by the Catholic Church to the country through its

educational and healthcare institutions.

Finally, attention focused on various challenges relating to the Country and the Region, such

as the fight against poverty and social inequality, the full development of the person,

reconciliation, justice and peace, with particular attention to the different situations of conflict

that affect the Continent.

(from radiovaticana.va archive)