Today, 27 January 2024, His Holiness Pope Francis received in audience the President of the Central African Republic, His Excellency Mr. Faustin Archange Touadéra, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

During the cordial discussions in the Secretariat of State, the existing good relations between the Holy See and the Central African Republic were emphasized, and reference was made to the important role played by the Catholic Church in the country in favour of the entire population. The Holy Father's visit in 2015, which contributed to fostering gestures of détente between the religious confessions, was recalled. Some aspects of the social, political and humanitarian situation were then discussed, and the hope was expressed for increasingly effective cooperation at international level for the common good of the nation.

The conversation continued with an exchange of views on the regional situation.

From the Vatican, 27 January 2024