Naming of Street after Pope Benedict XVI “brings hope to Burkina Faso, Africa”: Cardinal

The representative of the Holy Father in the West African nation thanked the Ouagadougou city council for “the honor” bestowed on the Pope emeritus, adding that the street is also significant because “the rectorate of the Catholic University of West Africa (UCAO) is also located on Benedict XVI Street.” 

“I am personally pleased that from now on the headquarters of UCAO will bear in its address the name of Pope Benedict XVI, known for his intelligence and intellectual strength, as well as for his dedication to the search for truth,” the Apostolic Nuncio further said.

Having a diplomatic mission is both a statement and a commitment “to deepen and strengthen bilateral relations, and there is no better way to do so than to be physically present,” Archbishop Crotty went on to say.

“Indeed, in the nine months since my arrival here in Burkina Faso, the greatest joy for me in being Pope Francis' Representative is to make him present wherever I go, a presence made possible by Pope Benedict XVI who established this diplomatic mission of the Holy See to Burkina Faso and Niger here in Ouagadougou,” the native of Ireland continued.

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“I hope that these links between us will bear fruit in favour of peace and reconciliation for our world,” the Nuncio said.

On his part, the Mayor of Ouagadougou, Armand Pierre Béouindé described Pope emeritus Benedict XVI as “a man who has always worked for reconciliation between peoples, for interreligious dialogue and for faith.”

“The renewal of the identity of this street will further implant in the collective memory of our population, the name of an eminent personality that is Pope Benedict XVI,” the Mayor added.

Mr. Béouindé further describe Pope emeritus Benedict XVI as one “who not only allowed the establishment of a strong diplomatic relationship between Burkina Faso and the Holy See but also, it is thanks to him that the Apostolic Nunciature was built in 2007.”

The Mayor revealed that his administration heeded to the request of the Holy Father’s representative in the country “to name the street in front of the main gate of the Nunciature, which also houses the rectorate of the Catholic university, to be Pope Benedict XVI Street.”

This story was first published by ACI Africa on 14 June 2021.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.