South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid a working visit to the Vatican, where he was received by His Holiness Pope Leo. The visit combined diplomacy and reflection, as the President and his delegation laid a wreath at the grave of the late Pope Francis and held extensive discussions with the Pontiff on global peace and development.
President Ramaphosa said the visit was an opportunity to reaffirm South Africa’s commitment to cooperation with the Holy See and to promote values of peace, justice, and solidarity.
We, as South Africans, have represented our country here. It’s been a working visit, where we came to pay our respects to the Pope, and also laid a wreath at Pope Francis’ grave.
The President held a lengthy discussion with Pope Leo, during which the two leaders spoke about the upcoming G20 Summit, to be hosted by South Africa. The Pope, he said, expressed his full support for South Africa’s G20 theme of ‘Equality, Solidarity, and Sustainability.’
Their talks also covered a range of global and regional peace efforts including the crisis in Palestine and the conflict in Sudan with both leaders emphasizing the urgent need for compassion and humanitarian relief.
We were deeply moved by the empathy expressed by the Pope, and impressed by his position on alleviating suffering around the world and e were inspired by his compassion and his unwavering support for the poor and struggling people of the world.
President Ramaphosa also met with members of the South African community in the Vatican, who gathered to welcome the delegation.
The visit, officials say, underscores South Africa’s growing engagement with global faith leaders and its commitment to promoting peace and human dignity on the international stage.