Sierra Leone’s president meets with Pontiff
October 09, 2026
Pope Leo XIV received President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone on October 8.
“As a devoted Catholic, I was profoundly honored to be in the presence of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV,” President Bio wrote on Facebook. Referring to his Muslim wife, he added that “Fatima and I sincerely appreciate his leadership of the Catholic Church.”
Following the papal audience, President Bio met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, and Msgr. Mihăiţă Blaj, Undersecretary for Relations with States. The parties, according to a Vatican statement, discussed Church-state relations, as well as “environmental and food-related emergencies associated with migration, as well as various social challenges, with particular attention given to young people.”
“Furthermore, the importance of working to build peace and implement projects in the areas of education and development was emphasized,” the statement continued. “Finally, an exchange of views took place on several regional and international issues.”
Located in West Africa, Sierra Leone (map), a nation of 9.3 million, is 67% Muslim, 19% ethnic religionist, and 11% Christian.
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Further information:
- Facebook post (His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, 10/8/26)
- Holy See Press Office Press Release: Audience with the President of Sierra Leone (10/8/26)
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