Pope Francis and Haitian President Michael Joseph Martelly today discussed the Church’s contributions in Haiti, now four years after the devastating earthquake that destroyed so much of the island nation in 2010.
The president was in Rome as the first cardinal ever to be named from Haiti, Bishop Chibly Langlois of Les Cayes, received the red hat on Saturday.
According to a communique from the Vatican press office, the meeting between Pope and president was “cordial,” with “satisfaction … expressed for the good relations between Haiti and the Holy See, and the Parties focused in particular on the precious contribution made by the Church in the country, especially in the fields of education and healthcare, as well as in charitable sectors.”
“Mention was also made of the importance of continuing efforts for the rebuilding of the country, and for promoting sincere dialogue between various institutions for reconciliation and the common good, both domestically and at an international level,” the statement added.
President Martelly went on to meet with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.
Some 80% of Haiti’s nearly 10 million people are Catholic.
