President Cyril Ramaphosa met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Saturday, marking the first high-level engagement between South Africa and the newly appointed Pontiff.
According to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office, the meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in humanitarian aid, peacebuilding and climate justice.
It described the talks as cordial, noting mutual appreciation for the Catholic Church’s contributions to South Africa, particularly in education, healthcare and social reconciliation.
The leaders also discussed shared values, including the South African principle of Ubuntu, which aligns with the Pope’s vision for a more compassionate and inclusive global community.
The meeting was part of Ramaphosa’s working trip to the Holy See and represented a significant moment in bilateral relations, which were formally established in 1994.
Pope Leo XIV, who ascended to the papacy on 8 May 2025, holds observer status at major international bodies and wields considerable global influence through the Church’s moral and diplomatic authority.
President Ramaphosa was accompanied by South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola and his daughter Keneilwe Ramaphosa.
JN/APA