Africa-Press – Angola. Angolan president João Lourenço met on Saturday with Pope Leo XIV in Luanda, at the Presidential Palace in Cidade Alta, moments after the Pope’s arrival in the country.
The Angolan Head of State received the leader of the Catholic Church with protocol honors, in an atmosphere marked by symbols of faith, diplomacy, and cooperation between Angola and the Holy See.
The meeting was expected to discuss issues related to peace, national reconciliation, and the strengthening of bilateral relations will dominate the conversation between the two interlocutors.
The visit is part of the Holy Father’s three-day official program in Angola, which includes institutional meetings, religious celebrations, and trips to different parts of the country.
Cooperation
Cooperation between Angola and the Holy See has deep historical roots and is currently based on a consolidated legal and diplomatic framework, formalized by an Agreement signed on September 13, 2019, in the Vatican.
The instrument regulates the presence and activities of the Catholic Church in the country, while structuring a partnership that encompasses spiritual, social, educational, and institutional dimensions.
Through this agreement, the principles of collaboration between the Angolan State and the Catholic Church are defined, with emphasis on areas such as education, health, social action, and the promotion of ethical values.
Relationship between the two states dates back to the colonial period, when Catholic missions played a significant role in evangelization, education, and assistance to the populations.
After independence in 1975, relations went through different phases, but evolved into a stable model of institutional cooperation, based on mutual respect and the autonomy of each party.
In recent years, this cooperation has been strengthened, with joint initiatives aimed at human development, combating poverty and promoting social peace.
The signing of the 2019 Framework Agreement marked a new chapter in bilateral relations, providing greater legal clarity and strengthening the mechanisms for dialogue between the Angolan State and the Holy See.
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