By Marcus Moloko
President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Rome, Italy, on Friday for a strategic working visit to the Holy See.
This will mark the country’s first high-level engagement with Pope Leo XIV, who ascended to the papacy in May this year.
Ramaphosa intends to deepen diplomatic relationships with the Vatican, which has held formal ties with Pretoria since 1994.
His agenda is centered on forging stronger partnerships in areas of humanitarian aid, climate justice, emergency response, and peacebuilding.
Accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, Ramaphosa is expected to advocate for Africa’s voice in global humanitarian and climate discussions.
A highlight of the trip was Ramaphosa’s scheduled meeting with Pope Leo XIV.
The engagement explores shared values between South Africa’s philosophy of ubuntu and the Pope’s call for a more inclusive and peaceful global community.
The plan may be to return with strengthened alliances, renewed commitments to humanitarian and climate action, and a louder voice for Africa on the global stage.
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