Before leaving for South Sudan, Cardinal Parolin met Angolan President João Lourenço in Angola.

Anastácio Sasembele - Luanda, Angola.

With an intense three-day agenda in Angola, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who presided over the episcopal ordination ceremony of Bishop Germano Penemote, recently appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Pakistan, concluded his visit by meeting with the Angolan President, João Lourenço, at the Government Palace of Cunene Province, in Ondjiva. The episcopal ordination took place in the Diocese of Ondjiva.

Angola’s Framework Agreement with the Holy See

Pietro Parolin said, as he left the audience, that he conveyed to the Head of State Pope Francis' greetings and best wishes for the wellbeing of President João Lourenço and the Angolan people.

With the Head of State, Cardinal Parolin also discussed relations between the Church and the Angolan State, especially the Framework Agreement signed by the parties. Under the Framework Agreement, the Republic of Angola and the Holy See committed to cooperating for the spiritual and material well-being of all while respecting the dignity and rights of the human person.

Cardinal Parolin expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the accord so far.

Angolan minister praises relations with Vatican City state

The Secretary of State of the Holy See also stressed that he had discussed the international political situation with the Head of State, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Niger and Ukraine (Eastern Europe).

And the Angolan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Teté António, has since reiterated that the Angolan State has a good relationship with the Vatican. The coming of Cardinal Pietro Parolin to Angola represents the level of relationship that the two States enjoy.