Pope Francis received the President of the Republic of Congo, (Congo Brazzaville) Denis Sassou N’Guesso Monday in the Vatican.
A
statement released from the Holy See Press Office said the cordial
talks touched on the positive contribution that the Catholic Church
makes to Congolese society , particularly in the fields of healthcare
and education.
The discussions also highlighted the good relations
that exist between the Holy See and the Republic of Congo and both the
Pope and the Preseident renewed their determination to further
strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Lastly , particular attention was
paid to various issues affecting Central Africa, including a number of
humanitarian situations.
Special attention was given to the care of
refugees and displaced persons, as well as the problem of security in
the region, also in relation to a rise in tensions due to fundamentalism.