President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday
met with Pope Francis and the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Monsignor
Pietro Parolin, in Rome.
Christian pilgrims from Anambra, Kaduna
and the Federal Capital Territory, were part of the President’s
delegation to the Vatican City but they 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 Jonathan used the
opportunity of the papal audience to explain Nigeria’s position on
same-sex marriage to the Pope.
Jonathan had on January 7, signed the
Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill 2013 into law despite opposition
from some Western countries.
Kennedy-Opara also said the 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.
PUNCH
I will for ever love GED.
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