President Goodluck Jonathan Met with Pope Francis in Vatican

President Goodluck Jonathan has embarked on a visit to the Vatican Pope Francis on Saturday 22nd March 2014 with delegations of Christian pilgrims from Anambra, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory. The President met with Pope Francis and the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Monsignor Pietro Parolin, in Rome but the entourages remained at the courtyard while the papal audience lasted.

The Executive Secretary of Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John Kennedy-Opara, who was part of the President’s delegation, told journalists that among the talks held during Papal audience was Nigeria’s position on same-sex marriage.

 

Jonathan had on January 7, signed the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill 2013 into law despite opposition from some Western countries. It was also said that Pope commended the President for the efforts being made by the Federal Government to tackle the mirage of challenges facing the country.

 

The Pope was also said to have rendered special prayers against the current insecurity being witnessed in parts of the country while bilateral talks on education, health and others issues were said to have been discussed.

 

Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Dr. Francis Okeke, also told journalists that Jonathan’s visit was an attempt to re-establish contact with the Holy See authorities because they have an important part to play in Nigeria’s affairs.