The President of the Republic of Cameroon, His Excellency Paul BIYA received in audience Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt, Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea at Unity Palace on Tuesday 15 July 2025.
This audience is part of the constant fulfilment of the regal missions that the Head of State assumes with serenity and honour.
In his capacity as diplomatic representative of the Vatican, the Apostolic Nuncio ensures the fluidity of liaison between the Holy See and Cameroon, in a mutually beneficial relationship, duly founded on the Framework Agreement linking both parties.
He is therefore one of Cameroon's strategic diplomatic partners, familiar with the corridors of the Unity Palace for consultations on matters of common interest.
Under the leadership of President Paul BIYA, Cameroon and the Holy See share a commitment to work for the moral, spiritual, and material well-being of humanity, and to promote the values of solidarity between peoples.
Meetings between both parties are regular, as demonstrated by Cameroon's effective presence at major events held at the Vatican, such as the funeral of Pope Francis and the inauguration of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV.
On 18 November 2024, President Paul BIYA received in audience Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations of the Holy See, Special Envoy of His Holiness Pope Francis, as part of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Framework Agreement signed between Cameroon and the Catholic Church on 13 January 2014.
Coming at the dawn of Pope Leo XIV's pontificate, it is evident that this audience opens up new and wonderful prospects in the relationship between the Holy See and Cameroon.
