By Paschal Norbert
VATICAN CITY, NOVEMBER 26, 2024 (CISA) – Pope Francis welcomed His Excellency Denis Sassou-N’Guesso, President of the Republic of the Congo, to the Apostolic Palace on November 25, 2024. The meeting between the two world leaders underscored the longstanding partnership between the Holy See and the Republic of the Congo, with discussions centered on mutual efforts to foster education, healthcare, and environmental stewardship in the region.
According to a communiqué from the Holy See Press Office, the audience was followed by talks with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and Msgr Miroslaw Stanislaw Wachowski, Under-Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.
“The good relations between the Holy See and the Republic of the Congo were highlighted,” the communiqué stated, adding that the dialogue addressed “collaboration with the local Church in the areas of education, health and care for the environment.”
Broader issues also took center stage, with both parties exchanging views on regional and global challenges. Notably, they emphasized “the importance of promoting dialogue and reconciliation between peoples,” signaling a shared commitment to peacebuilding in a time of complex international tensions.
The meeting reflects Pope Francis’s consistent focus on fostering unity and addressing pressing global issues through collaboration. The discussions also underscored the critical role of the Church in providing essential services and advocating for sustainable development in the Republic of the Congo.
Catholicism is the largest Christian denomination in the Republic of the Congo, where Christianity is the predominant religion. Catholics make up approximately 50% of the nation’s total population across nine dioceses and archdioceses.
