Pope Leo XIV received the President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, at the Apostolic Residence in the Vatican this Saturday, November 8th. This information was released in a statement from the Holy See Press Office.

“During the cordial conversation,” the statement read, “the constructive presence of the Catholic Church in South African society was appreciated, particularly in the areas of education and health, whose work contributes to promoting dialogue and reconciliation.”

Ramaphosa was accompanied by Keneilwe Ramaphosa; the meeting aimed to “promote mutual understanding, facilitate cultural exchanges, and address issues of interest between the two entities.” During the visit, Ramaphosa and the Pope conversed, exchanged gifts, and posed for photographs.

The meeting took place a day after the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, announced that no representative of the US government would participate in this year's G20 summit, to be held in South Africa, justifying the decision with the alleged treatment given to white farmers in the country.

The Trump administration has accused the South African government of allowing persecution and attacks against white farmers from the Afrikaner minority. In reducing the annual number of refugees admitted to the U.S. to 7.500, the administration indicated that the majority would be white South Africans, allegedly victims of discrimination and violence.

The South African government expressed surprise at the accusations, stressing that, more than three decades after the end of the apartheid regime, white citizens continue to enjoy a significantly higher standard of living than black residents.

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