The president of war-torn Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadére and his entourage, was granted an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican on January 25. The Holy See says in a press release that it appreciates “the positive efforts made to restore political and institutional stability” in the country.
The Vatican also asked for collaboration between everyone in the nation, and the international community “to promote peaceful coexistence and national reconciliation.”
Some 600,000 people in the CAR have been forced to abandon their homes because the country is in the hands of armed groups who destroy everything in their path, ruthlessly torturing and killing, including children, the bishops said. “Boys and girls are exposed to all forms of violence, including sexual abuse and forced enlistment in armed groups.”
As the CAR is a nation in a tragic civil war, the Papacy presents itself as the reconciler and peacemaker. And while this may well be a legitimate effort, it nevertheless further enhances the image of the Vatican as the global peacemaker, and brining world leaders to Rome for advice and comfort.
“All the world wondered after the beast.” Revelation 13:3.