2023-08-17 18:16:00
By Ary Waldir Ramos Diaz
August 17, 2023 / 11:16 am
Pope Francis received in audience, this Thursday, August 17, Andry Nirina Rajoelina, President of the Republic of Madagascar, who later met with Bishop Miroslaw Wachowski, Undersecretary for Relations with States.
“During cordial talks at the State Secretariat, appreciation was expressed for the positive bilateral relations, as well as for the contribution of the Catholic Church in multiple sectors of Malagasy society,” read a note from the Press Office of Malaga. the Holy thirst.
“In the continuation of the conversation, various national and international issues were discussed, including the war in Ukraine and its global consequences, the crisis situations affecting the African continent and the possibility of proceeding with the study of the drafting of a bilateral Agreement, as another sign of respectful cooperation,” the Vatican note added.
The audience between the Pope and the president of Madagascar lasted 20 minutes. Later, during the traditional exchange of gifts, the Holy Father presented the president with the text of his message for Peace this year and other pontifical documents, such as the book on the Statio Orbis of March 27, 2020, edited by the LEV , as well as a bronze sculpture with the phrase: “Be messengers of peace”.
For his part, the president gave Pope Francis a painting depicting a scene from Malagasy peasant life and the game “Solitaire” with local stone marbles.
At the end of the private audience with the president, Pope Francis invited the delegation to take a photo next to the miniature of the ship that they had been given during their trip to Madagascar. Next, they prayed a Hail Mary before the image of the Virgin that the Malagasy bishops had donated to them. Subsequently, the Pontiff gave his blessing to those present.
Ary Waldir Ramos Díaz is a correspondent for ACI Prensa in Rome and the Vatican. He is a Vatican journalist with more than 10 years of experience.
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