VATICAN CITY – President Cyril Ramaphosa met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Saturday morning where he extended an invitation for the pontiff to visit South Africa.
The meeting was described by the Vatican as “cordial talks” where both leaders discussed global challenges and the Catholic Church’s role in South Africa.
Ramaphosa told the Pope that humanity faces immense challenges including wars, economic inequality and climate change that can only be solved through working together.
“To many, it seems easier to fund wars than to invest in peace,” Ramaphosa said during the meeting.
Not a state visit
Cardinal Stephen Brislin, the Archbishop of Johannesburg and president of the Southern African Bishops Conference, told a national news station that it was not a formal state visit.
“It was not a visit as such to the leader of the Catholic world. I think the pope in this case represents an understanding and an acknowledgement of the importance of faith and faith leaders in our own country,” Brislin said.
He added that the last meeting between a pope and a South African president was in 1998 between Nelson Mandela and Pope John Paul II.
“This visit symbolises the alignment with the South African government, represented by President Cyril Ramaphosa, with the values of the Vatican state,” the cardinal said.
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G20 Summit preparation
The meeting comes as South Africa prepares to host the G20 Leaders’ Summit later this month under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.
Ramaphosa said the summit will be guided by the South African philosophy of Ubuntu, which recognises shared humanity.
He highlighted problems facing African countries, particularly debt. “Many African countries spend more on servicing debt than on education or healthcare,” he told the Pope.
Church’s role recognised
The Vatican said both leaders expressed appreciation for the Catholic Church’s contribution to South Africa, especially in education and healthcare.
South Africa has almost four million Catholics from diverse backgrounds. Ramaphosa acknowledged that faith communities played an important role “at the forefront of our struggle for democracy, human rights and social justice”.
Papal invitation
Working with the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Ramaphosa formally invited Pope Leo XIV to visit South Africa.
“We would be greatly honoured to host you in our beautiful country,” he said.
The meeting took place during the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year of Hope. Ramaphosa said it was “a great blessing” to walk through the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica.
New Pope
Ramaphosa’s speech mentioned the recent change in papal leadership, expressing sadness about the death of Pope Francis while welcoming Pope Leo XIV as his replacement.
“Your election as successor to St Peter has provided hope and encouragement,” he told the new pontiff.
The meeting ended with an exchange of gifts between the two leaders.
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