The Cape Verdean President, José Maria Neves, expressed his desire to have Pope Francis in the country.
“It would be extraordinarily important if during the Jubilee celebrations, Pope Francis could visit Cape Verde. In fact, this is the primary diocese of Africa, but we have to combine efforts, we, the two dioceses, particularly that of Santiago,” said the Head of state, speaking to the press on the sidelines of a mass, in Cidade Velha, which marked the start of 10 years to the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Diocese of Santiago, in 2033.
José Maria Neves said that the invitation to the Holy Father to visit Cape Verde had already been made, while he was Prime Minister and by the former President of the Republic, Jorge Carlos Fonseca, hoping that it would happen during the next 10 years.
“Now, in the framework of the celebrations of the 500th anniversary, it is to renew the invitation, in close collaboration with the Church to see if it is possible. It will not be easy to bring the Pope to Cape Verde for these commemorations,” stressed the highest magistrate of the Cape Verdean nation.
In June 2021, the Catholic Church in Cape Verde announced, 10 years in advance, the commemorations of the 500th anniversary of the Diocese of Santiago, erected on 31 January 1533 by the bull ‘Pró Excellenti Praeeminentia’, of Pope Clement VII.
The Catholic Church is even older, but the Diocese of Santiago was created in 1533, established its headquarters in the city of Ribeira Grande, grew and accompanied the entire history of Cape Verde, according to the bishop who also heads the diocese.
As well as the four islands that are currently part of the Diocese of Santiago (Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava), Arlindo Furtado said that the activities would involve the entire country, which was a single diocese until the creation, in 2003, of Mindelo, which includes the islands of Santo Antão, São Vicente, São Nicolau, Sal and Boa Vista.
