President Cyril Ramaphosa has commended what he described as an important role played by Pope Leo XIV as a leader in the spiritual life of the nations of the world. The president was speaking during his meeting with the Pope at the Vatican during his working visit to the Holy See.
“We recognise that the best partnerships are those that are based on common interest and understanding. We join the Holy See’s commitment to peace, prosperity, and equality. Your Holiness, I was greatly inspired by your comment in another meeting with a head of state, that peace requires dignified, prosperous coexistence,” said Ramaphosa.
According to the presidency, South Africa and the Holy See have cordial bilateral relations and the visit by Ramaphosa serves as an opportunity to discuss a renewed focus on collaboration in humanitarian aid, climate justice, emergency response, and peace building.
Ramaphosa said the election of Pope Leo XIV as successor to St Peter has provided hope and encouragement to most people, including almost four million Catholics in South Africa.
“This group represents a cross section of our multi-cultural society, comprising South Africans from diverse historical, social, and linguistic backgrounds. Faith-based communities have been at the forefront of our struggle for democracy, human rights, and social justice,” remarked Ramaphosa.
The president assured the Pope that South Africa will use its presidency of the G20 Leaders’ Summit later this month, to help call for global peace and economic equality.
He highlighted that his visit to the Holy See, comes at a time when humanity faces immense challenges.
“To many, it seems easier to fund wars than to invest in peace.Conflicts across the globe are dividing societies and inflicting untold destruction. These global challenges cannot be resolved by nations acting alone, only through solidarity and multilateralism. Economic inequality continues to rise, stifling opportunity and hindering shared prosperity. Through our G20 Presidency, South Africa sees an opportunity to promote solidarity that advances the common good,” said Ramaphosa.
In addition, the president said the work of the summit will be guided by South Africa’s philosophy of Ubuntu, which recognises the country’s share humanity.
Ramaphosa said the country will prioritise pressing issues, such as inequality, food security and the social, economic, and environmental development of Africa and the Global South.
“Solidarity has been a defining characteristic of human development. The human impulse is not towards isolation, but towards community. So too must the wealthy nations embrace their duty to the poor, in health, in education and in security, not as an act of charity, but to build a just world,” said Ramaphosa.
The president invited his Holiness to visit South Africa.
“As we seek to tackle these immense challenges together, it is my great privilege to join the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference to extend an invitation to the Holy Father to visit South Africa. We would be greatly honoured to host you in our beautiful country,” said the president.
