Kerekou, president since April 1996, was re-elected in March 2001. The Vatican did not give any details on the Saturday meeting.
From 1974 to 1989, the western African nation was a Socialist state. Free elections were re-established in 1991. Of its 6.5 million people, 61% are animists, 21% Catholics, and 2.3% Protestants. Muslims constitute 12% of the population.
John Paul II has made two pastoral visits to Benin, in February 1982 and in February 1993.
