Vatican Secretary of State Grateful for “warm welcome” in Mozambique Pastoral Visit

Maputo, 05 December, 2025 / 11:22 PM

The Vatican Secretary of State has arrived in Mozambique for a five-day pastoral visit, expressing joy at the reception by the people of God in the Southern African nation.

Pietro Cardinal Parolin landed at the Maputo International Airport on Friday, December 5.

Members of the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique (CEM), government authorities, Priests, women and men Religious, and a large number of lay faithful welcomed him.

After the airport ceremony, Cardinal Parolin was officially received at the Apostolic Nunciature in Maputo, where he will be based during his December 5-10 visit.

“Thank you very much for your welcome. I am truly moved to see you here, full of joy and enthusiasm for this encounter with someone who comes from Rome and who, therefore, comes to represent Pope Leo XIV among you,” Cardinal Parolin said.

He added, “Let us pray the Hail Mary together, to place this journey and its fruits under the protection of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, whom we will celebrate in two days.”

The Vatican Cardinal is in Mozambique to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Southern African nation.

The Cardinal is expected to meet with Mozambique’s President Daniel Francisco Chapo to review bilateral relations between Mozambique and the Holy See. 

Official meetings have also been scheduled with Archbishops, Bishops, and various ecclesial figures, as well as several personalities from the state organs.

On Sunday, December 7, Cardinal Parolin will preside over the solemn concluding Eucharistic celebration of the Third National Youth Day, gathering young people from all Archdioceses and Dioceses of Mozambique who will be assembled in Maputo from December 3 to 7 to experience an unforgettable moment of faith, love, and fraternity, guided by the theme: “Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts”.