Exchange of the Instruments of Ratification of the Agreement between the Holy See and the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe

On Monday 29 January 2024, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the instruments of ratification of the Agreement between the Holy See and the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe were exchanged.

The solemn act was carried out, for the Holy See, by His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, and for the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, by His Excellency Mr. Gareth Haddad do Espírito Santo Guadalupe, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Communities.

The solemn act was witnessed by:

- on the part of the Holy See: Msgr. Simon Kassas and Msgr. Carlos Fernando Díaz Paniagua, Officials of the Section for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Secretariat of State;

- On the part of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe: His Excellency Ambassador Esterline Gonçalves Genero, Plenipotentiary Minister, Director General of Foreign Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Communities of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe.

The Agreement, drafted in Italian and Portuguese and composed of 28 articles, came into effect with the exchange of the Instruments of Ratification. It establishes the recognition of the legal personality of the Catholic Church and the ecclesiastical institutions, and defines the legal framework of relations between the Church and the State.

The Agreement further consolidates the existing bonds of friendship and collaboration between the two Parties, who, to safeguard the independence and autonomy proper to them, undertake to collaborate for the spiritual and material wellbeing of the human person, as well as the promotion of the common good.