Ellen Enjoys Pope Francis’ Blessings

President Sirleaf over the weekend shakes hands with Pope Francis during her visit to Vatican City in Rome, Italy. The Liberian leader who returns home today, Tuesday, used the visit to thank Pope Francis and the Catholic Church for its commitment to peace and reconciliation, as well as her contribution in the fields of social welfare and education in Liberia.

During the visit, President Sirleaf and Pontiff discussed the cordial relations between Liberia and the Holy See and expressed satisfaction about the positive progress made in strengthening Liberia’s democratic institutions. President Sirleaf, particularly highlighted Government’s efforts for peace and reconciliation; which he encouraged. She praised the Church for its immense contribution in the fields of social welfare and education. The president urged Pope Francis to pray for the country in order to have a sense of holiness, reconciliation, peace and that all Liberians can love one another.

She also asked for the Pontiff’s prayers for courage of tolerance. They later exchanged views on current regional and international issues, with particular reference on trouble spots around the world. Later, President Sirleaf met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by the Secretary for Relations with States, Dominique Mamberti.

During the meeting, President Sirleaf extended thanks and appreciation to the Holy See for its support to Liberia over time especially during the years of the country’s civil war. They discussed how relations can be strengthened, especially with support to social welfare, health and educational institutions. “I think for us, this is more or less a one time opportunity. I found the Pope very affable,” President Sirleaf said following the meeting, adding that she found him to be a very humble. President Sirleaf was later taken on a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica within the Vatican City, the largest church in the world and one of the holiest Catholic sites. In a related development, President Sirleaf has been awarded the Order pro Merito Melitensi (Order of Merit) with the grade of Collar by the Sovereign Order of Malta in recognition of her commitment in strengthening the bilateral cooperation and friendship between the two countries.

The Collar is normally awarded to a Head of State. The ceremony which was conducted by the Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta, Fra’ Matthew Festing took place at the Magisterial Palace in Rome on Saturday, April 5. He praised the long bonds of friendship existing between the Sovereign Order of Malta and Liberia since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1959, 65 years ago. “We admire your impulse and shared concern for the eradication of poverty, improvement of social welfare and fight against diseases, which resonate deeply with our multi-secular vocation and mission of the Sovereign Order of Malta,” he said. Fra’ Festing used the opportunity to reiterate that after more than a millennium since its foundation, the Sovereign Order of Malta continues to pursue its hospitaller mission, specifically to affirm and propagate all over the world the virtues of charity and brotherhood by carrying out selfless assistance for the benefit of the poor and the sick, the victims of natural catastrophes and conflicts as well as of the displace persons and refugees.

Receiving the honor, President Sirleaf said she was humbled and accepted it on behalf of the Liberian people. She thanked the Sovereign Order for all the assistance provided Liberia over the years in the area of health. “Your response by sending medicine is worth commending,” she emphasized. The Liberian leader enumerated the indicators in the health sector that are showing encouraging signs especially maternal mortality, child mortality, malaria, among others which would not have been possible without the assistance of the Sovereign Order of Malta. President Sirleaf highlighted the country’s challenges, but said that Liberia is on the road to recovery.The Knightly Order pro Merito Melitensi, established in 1920, is given in recognition of those activities that have conferred honor and prestige on the Sovereign Order of Malta. It is mainly awarded to non-members of the Order regardless of religion.

The Sovereign Order of Malta is particularly active in 35 African countries through their diplomatic missions and with the support of its National Associations and international relief agency, running hospitals and health centers, programmes for the control and treatment of diseases, educational programmes against mal-nutrient as well as psychological help for victims of sexual violence. In Liberia, the Sovereign Order of Malta has supported the Liberian Leprosy Control Programme whose beneficiaries were the Leprosy Hospital in Ganta as well as 41 health centers in Bong, Nimba and Maryland counties. Since the programme ended due to the civil war, the Order has started new humanitarian initiatives through their embassy. Various donations have been delivered over the last couple of years, such as a pick-up truck for the nuns in Ganta, an ambulance for the JFK Medical Center as well as a container of some incubators, dialysis stations and cardiac ultrasound machines.