President Goodluck Jonathan today met with the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis I.
The meeting took place at the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican and ended about 10:55 AM after which, the president began his pilgrimage with a visit to the Vatican museum.
The president and his entourage arrived Rome last night (Friday) and were welcomed by the Pope’s representatives.
They were also received by Nigeria’s representative to the Vatican, Dr Francis Okeke.
Online reports say President Jonathan and Pope Francis held extensive discussion on Nigeria’s position on same-sex marriage law recently passed in the country.
The report says the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, Kennedy Opara, disclosed this to journalists at the Holy Sea after President Jonathan’s audience with the Pope as well as his tour of the Vatican City.
Opara, according to the report, said the president used the opportunity to state Nigeria’s position on same sex-marriage while the Pope commended Jonathan’s effort in tackling the various challenges facing the country.
The Pilgrims from Anambra, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory, were part of President Jonathan’s delegation to Vatican City in Rome, Italy but remained at the courtyard while the audience with Pope Francis and Monsignor Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State.
Also Nigerian residents in Italy were also in the Vatican City to join President Jonathan in the Papal audience.
Source: Channels TV
