Pope Francis meets with President of Togo
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Thursday received the President of the Republic of Togo, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, who later met Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State, who was accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States.
A communique from the Holy See Press Office called the meeting “cordial” and said the parties took note of the good relations existing between the Holy See and Togo, and the prospects for their further consolidation. The talks then focused on the contribution of Catholics to the development of the country and the integral progress of the Togolese people, especially in the field of education.
The communique said they also reviewed a number of challenges affecting the countries of West Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, stressing the need for a common commitment to work towards peace and security in the region.
During the meeting, Pope Francis gave the President copies of the Encyclical Laudato si’ and the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. President Gnassingbé gave the Holy Father a framed work of abstract art, created by an artist of Togo.