Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is set to meet Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on October 1, marking their first meeting since Leo became head of the Catholic Church.
The meeting was reported by Africa Intelligence on September 25. The report does not disclose a specific agenda for the talks, and neither side has publicly outlined the issues expected to be discussed.
Touadéra has previously met Pope Francis at the Vatican. During their January 2018 meeting, the two discussed relations between the Central African Republic and the Holy See, as well as the political and humanitarian situation in the country and efforts toward national reconciliation.
Relations between Bangui and the Holy See are governed by a framework agreement signed in the Central African capital in September 2016. The agreement established the legal basis for cooperation between the Central African state and the Catholic Church in areas including social, cultural and educational affairs. It entered into force in March 2019.
The Vatican has continued its institutional engagement with the Central African Republic under Pope Leo XIV. In April 2026, Leo established the ecclesiastical province of Berbérati and appointed its first metropolitan archbishop, while also making changes to the leadership of the Archdiocese of Bangui.
The October 1 meeting will therefore be the first direct encounter between Touadéra and Leo XIV since the latter was elected pope in 2025. Further details on the discussions are expected closer to the visit.
