PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Nigeria/Vatican: Jonathan, Pope Francis meet on inter-faith dialogue
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - Nigerian leader, President Goodluck Jonathan, on Saturday at the Vatican conferred with Pope Francis I on the promotion of inter-faith dialogue in Nigeria and other parts of the world to foster greater global peace and security, according to a press statement from the presidency, received here by PANA.
Speaking to journalists after his private meeting with the Pope, President Jonathan noted that the promotion of inter-faith dialogue was a cause to which the Pontiff was very committed.
The President, who said that his administration was already working in close collaboration with Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the Nigerian team leader to the Vatican, for the effort to strengthen inter-faith dialogue in Nigeria, assured the Pope of his administration's continued commitment to the promotion of religious harmony and the peaceful co-existence of people of all faiths.
He also assured the Pope that his administration would continue to work diligently to alleviate poverty in Nigeria through more inclusive economic growth and development.
According to the statement, President Jonathan said the Pope, whom, he said, had always taken a keen interest in Nigeria, had promised to visit the country.
The Pope, President Jonathan said, also assured him that he would continue to pray for God Almighty to bless the country and its people.
After his private meeting with President Jonathan, Pope Francis received the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof Viola Onwuliri, Governor Godswill Akpabio and his spouse, Governor Gabriel Suswam, former Governor Peter Obi and his spouse, the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Helen Mark and other members of the President's entourage.
Others present at the enlarged audience with the Pope included Nigeria's Ambassador to the Vatican, Dr. Francis C. Okeke, the Chaplain of the Presidential Villa, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba, and Chief Mike Oghiadomhe.
Before leaving the Vatican, President Jonathan also conferred with the Secretary of State, Monsignor Pietro Parolin He had received Nigeria's Vatican-based Cardinal Francis Arinze earlier in the day.
-0- PANA PR/VAO 23March2014
Speaking to journalists after his private meeting with the Pope, President Jonathan noted that the promotion of inter-faith dialogue was a cause to which the Pontiff was very committed.
The President, who said that his administration was already working in close collaboration with Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the Nigerian team leader to the Vatican, for the effort to strengthen inter-faith dialogue in Nigeria, assured the Pope of his administration's continued commitment to the promotion of religious harmony and the peaceful co-existence of people of all faiths.
He also assured the Pope that his administration would continue to work diligently to alleviate poverty in Nigeria through more inclusive economic growth and development.
According to the statement, President Jonathan said the Pope, whom, he said, had always taken a keen interest in Nigeria, had promised to visit the country.
The Pope, President Jonathan said, also assured him that he would continue to pray for God Almighty to bless the country and its people.
After his private meeting with President Jonathan, Pope Francis received the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof Viola Onwuliri, Governor Godswill Akpabio and his spouse, Governor Gabriel Suswam, former Governor Peter Obi and his spouse, the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Helen Mark and other members of the President's entourage.
Others present at the enlarged audience with the Pope included Nigeria's Ambassador to the Vatican, Dr. Francis C. Okeke, the Chaplain of the Presidential Villa, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba, and Chief Mike Oghiadomhe.
Before leaving the Vatican, President Jonathan also conferred with the Secretary of State, Monsignor Pietro Parolin He had received Nigeria's Vatican-based Cardinal Francis Arinze earlier in the day.
-0- PANA PR/VAO 23March2014
