A statement released by the Vatican Press Office on Thursday, February 13, revealed that Pope Francis received in audience, in the Apostolic Palace, the President of the Republic of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

The statement said that during the discussions, which took place in a cordial atmosphere, the two leaders expressed satisfaction for existing good bilateral relations. They went on to focus on the situation in the West African country, with particular reference to humanitarian and security issues, endangered by the spread of religious radicalism and terrorism.

Reference was also made to various matters of regional and international interest, including growing food insecurity in the Sahel region, the phenomenon of migration, and peacekeeping in western Africa.

President Keita subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.