President Ramkalawan to Hold Private Audience with Pope Francis

VICTORIA, Seychelles, The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, has been invited for a private audience with His Holiness Pope Francis, which will take place on Saturday March 16, 2024. The visit marks another important moment in the longstanding relationship between Seychelles and the Holy See. The audience will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss matters of mutual interest, including the role of the Catholic Church in the social and cultural life of the island nation.

President Ramkalawan will, on the same day, also meet with His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State at the Vatican. The meeting with Cardinal Parolin is expected to cover a broader range of bilateral issues, including cooperation in education, climate change and the promotion of peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region. The combined programme reflects the depth of engagement between Seychelles and the Vatican on both spiritual and diplomatic matters.

The President will be accompanied on his mission to Rome by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde. The presence of the foreign minister underlines the importance attached to the visit at the highest levels of government. The delegation is also expected to include senior officials from the President’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During President Ramkalawan’s absence from the country, his duties and responsibilities will be discharged by Vice-President Ahmed Afif. The Vice-President will continue to oversee the work of the Cabinet and to handle any urgent matters that may arise during the President’s brief absence. A press release from the Office of the President confirmed the temporary arrangement, which is in line with the constitutional provisions for such situations.

The visit to Rome comes at a time when Seychelles is preparing to mark the 250th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the country. The President’s audience with Pope Francis is therefore expected to carry additional symbolic significance, as it represents a renewal of the ties between Seychelles and the global Catholic community. Further details of the visit, including any joint statements or communiqués, are expected to be released after the audience has taken place.