Vatican City – President Cyril Ramaphosa has held his first official high-level engagement with Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City.
The private audience was described as “warm and cordial” by South African officials, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations between South Africa and the Holy See (established in 1994), as well as broader themes of global peace, cultural exchange, humanitarian aid, climate justice, emergency response, and peacebuilding.
The meeting occurred amid international tensions, including the U.S. announcement of a boycott of the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, providing a diplomatic contrast emphasising dialogue over confrontation.
Pope Leo XIV emphasised the importance of “dialogue and diplomacy” in fostering mutual understanding and global peace. –
The pope welcomed President Ramaphosa as a partner in advancing “cultural cooperation” and addressing shared challenges like humanitarian crises and environmental stewardship.
Pope Leo XIV and President Ramaphosa also exchanged gifts.
President Ramaphosa gifted Pope Leo XIV: Two books—one on Nelson Mandela and one on Archbishop Desmond Tutu—highlighting South Africa’s history of anti-apartheid struggle and forgiveness.
Pope Leo XIV handed President Ramaphosa a sculpture symbolising “intergenerational dialogue,” a photo album of the Apostolic Palace, and a copy of Pope Francis’s January 1, 2025, message on peace.
*All images courtesy GCIS
