Above: Haiti President Michel Martelly and Pope Francis (Photo: OP Haiti)
By the Caribbean Journal staff
Haiti President Michel Martelly continued his European tour Monday with a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican Apostolic Palace in Vatican City.
Martelly was joined by newly-arrived Cardinal Chibly Langlois, who officially joined the College of Cardinals last week. He is the first-ever native of Haiti to join the College.
Langlois was honoured at a reception attended by Martelly on on Sunday.
During his visit Monday, Martelly also met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Vatican’s secretary for relations with states.
In a statement, the Holy See said the parties focused on “precious contribution made by the Church in the country, especially in the fields of education and healthcare, as well as in charitable sectors.”
The Vatican said that the two sides also discussed the “importance of continuing efforts for the rebuilding of the country, and for promoting sincere dialogue between various institutions for reconciliation and the common good, both domestically and at an international level.”
Last week, Martelly began his trip with a visit to France that included talks with French President Francois Hollande.
Martelly last visited France in 2012, when he gave addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg.