Vatican, 28 March, 2022 / 8:39 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis on Saturday, March 26 welcomed Burundi’s President, Évariste Ndayishimiye, at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City to a meeting during which the two leaders discussed the contribution of the Church to the growth of the East African country.
Vatican News reported that the two leaders discussed the political and social situation in Burundi, and other themes concerning the African region.
During the cordial discussions at the Secretariat of State, the two reportedly expressed satisfaction “for the good relations between the Holy See and Burundi, and for the contribution of the Catholic Church to the life of the country in various sectors of society.”
The President of Burundi is said to have later met with the Vatican Secretary of State, Pietro Cardinal Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.
Pope Francis and the President of Burundi exchanged gifts, Vatican News reported, and added, “During the customary exchange of gifts following the discussions between Pope Francis and President Ndayishimiye, Pope Francis gave the President an ‘Angel of Peace’ bronze medallion and copies of the papal documents.”