Pope Francis has an Audience with the Catholic President of Madagascar and they Pray a Hail Mary Together at the Vatican
.png)
On August 17th, Pope Francis held a private audience with Mr. Andry Nirina Rajoelina, the President of the Republic of Madagascar, Africa, and his family at the Vatican. Rajoelina later met with Msgr. Miroslaw Wachowski, Under-Secretary for Relations with States.
Accompanying the Catholic President of Madagascar was his wife, Mialy Razakandisa, of 23 years, and 3 children: two boys, Arena (born 2002) and Ilonstoa (born 2003), and daughter, Ilona, born in 2005 whom the couple named Ilona.
The president gifted the pope a game of solitaire and the pope said he needed to learn to play the game:
The discussions, held at the Secretariat of State, highlighted the positive bilateral relations enjoyed by the Holy See and Madagascar, as well as the Catholic Church's contributions to many sectors of Malagasy society.
According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, their conversation was about various national and international topics.
These included the ongoing war in Ukraine and its global repercussions, along with several crises affecting the African continent.
Moreover, both parties explored the potential of “proceeding in the drafting of a bilateral Agreement, as a further sign of respectful collaboration.”
After the 30-minute audience, Pope Francis invited President Rajoelina and his delegation to take a group photo next to a miniature replica of the ship which the Pope received as a gift during his Apostolic Journey to Madagascar, on 6-9 September 2019.
The Pope prayed a Hail Mary with those present in front of an image of Our Lady which the Bishops of Madagascar gave him.
The Pope concluded the audience by imparting his Apostolic Blessing upon the President and his entourage.
According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, their conversation was about various national and international topics.
These included the ongoing war in Ukraine and its global repercussions, along with several crises affecting the African continent.
Moreover, both parties explored the potential of “proceeding in the drafting of a bilateral Agreement, as a further sign of respectful collaboration.”
After the 30-minute audience, Pope Francis invited President Rajoelina and his delegation to take a group photo next to a miniature replica of the ship which the Pope received as a gift during his Apostolic Journey to Madagascar, on 6-9 September 2019.
The Pope prayed a Hail Mary with those present in front of an image of Our Lady which the Bishops of Madagascar gave him.
The Pope concluded the audience by imparting his Apostolic Blessing upon the President and his entourage.
The majority of Madagascar's population of 25 Million people, 58%, is Christian, and Catholics make up about 25 % of the country. There are almost 2,000 priests and over 5,000 nuns working across 478 parishes. There are 22 dioceses including five archdioceses.
Sources: Vatican News and https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/national-profiles?u=137c
https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/madagascar
https://web.archive.org/web/20140218212959/http://www.lexpress.mu/article/une-femme-de-ressources
Comments