The Head of State His Excellency Paul BIYA and Pope Francis have held talks at the Vatican to review the strong ties that exist between the Holy See and Cameroon. The audience was the core of the official visit that the President of the Republic, who is being accompanied by his wife Madam Chantal BIYA, paid the Vatican City on Friday 18 October 2013.

From their discussions, it emerged that the President of the Republic and Pope Francis share similar views on several issues and that the two personalities prefer dialogue as the best solution for most of the problems faced in Africa. They equally believe that the international community should be imbued with greater solidarity so as to offer a better world to the poor and needy.

The President of the Republic later on had discussions with the Secretary for relations with States, His Lordship Dominique MAMBERTI. From these discussions, it emerged that the Vatican was pleased with the work Cameroon had done on the agreement for the judicial status of the Catholic Church, which will be signed at a later date.

President Paul BIYA for his part expressed his gratitude to the Catholic Church for all the work they have been doing in Cameroon, especially in the domains of education and health, while the Church officials look to Cameroon to continue in their role of bringing peace and reconciliation to the people of the region.

The official visit of President Paul BIYA to the Vatican is in continuation of the reciprocal honour and respect shared between the two institutions. The Head of State paid his first official visit to the Vatican in 1986, while he equally attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II on his second trip to the Holy See. The President of the Republic, accompanied by his wife Chantal BIYA again took part in the beatification ceremony of Pope John Paul II in 2011.