HOLY FATHER RECEI VES PRIME MINISTER OF MOZAMBIQUE

Vatican City, 11 April 2013 (VIS) – This morning in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, the Holy Father Francis received Mr. Alberto Clementino Vaquina, prime minister of Mozambique, in audience. Prime Minister Vaquina then met with the Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.

“During the course of the cordial conversations,” reads a communique from the Holy See Press Office, “the Prime Minister repeated to the Holy Father the congratulations of the people of Mozambique on his election as Pope.”

“As the talks continued, satisfaction was expressed with the good relations existing between the Holy See and Mozambique, which have been further strengthened by the bilateral agreement between the two, which were signed on 7 December 2011 and were ratified last year. In particular, the Catholic Church's positive contribution to the peace and development of the country, especially through her initiatives in education and charitable assistance, was highlighted.”