Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba received in audience at the Vatican

Pope Francis received Ali Bongo at the Vatican on April 28, 2022. AFP - HANDOUT

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1 min

It was the first official meeting between the Sovereign Pontiff and the Head of State of Gabon.

The opportunity to review the good relations between the Catholic Church and the Gabonese State, after periods of tension.

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With our correspondent at the Vatican,

If Ali Bongo had gone to the installation mass of Pope Francis in 2013 then to the canonization of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII a year later, it was the first time that the Gabonese president had met the Argentine pontiff .

A tête-à-tête in private for 25 minutes where the " 

" recalls a statement from the Vatican.

Ali Bongo also met with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Parolin and the head of pontifical diplomacy, Mgr Gallagher, the opportunity to come back to the framework agreement signed with the Vatican in Libreville there At 25 years.

The two parties reiterated their "

", while the Gabonese President underlined " 

 ". 

"

 ", welcomed the Gabonese president on his Facebook account, thanking the pope for the "

 granted. 

A country where more than 54% of the population is Catholic, Gabon was the scene of strong tensions two years ago between the ecclesiastical authorities and the government.

The bishops had reopened their churches defying the anti-Covid restrictions.

Some of them, as well as priests, had been assaulted during the demonstrations that followed.

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• Gabon

• Vatican