Media Applauds Visit Presidential Visit

The "Financial Time"and "La Republica" amongst others give a deserving coverage to President Paul Biya's meeting with Pope Francis.

The official visit of President Paul Biya to the Vatican last Friday attracted huge media attention. Numerous European radio and television channels gave it prime time attention. Tabloids and others of the print media were not left out in the race to give the event the coverage it deserves.

An Italian daily newspaper, "La Republica" had pre-event write-ups, stressing the vitality and closeness of relations between Cameroon and the Vatican State. The British newspaper, "Financial Times" of last Friday 18 October brought out succinct analysis of the friendly ties between Cameroon and the Holy See. The depth and particularity of the ever growing relations between Cameroon and the Vatican was a subject of detailed analysis by the "Financial Times." It described the official visit of President Paul Biya to the Vatican as "historic."

According to the "Financial Times" article, "No other African leader has closer ties with the Holy See, than President Paul Biya," the numerous visits by President Paul Biya to the Vatican, and the three Papal visits to Cameroon in recent memory are cited in the write-up as indices of privileged friendship between the two States. The paper also gives detailed information on the implantation of the Catholic Church in Cameroon and the role it plays in the advancement of the education, good health, democracy and evangelisation.

Global media attention during the tête-à-tête between President Paul Biya and the Supreme Pontiff last Friday was evident, given the number of news organs present at the Vatican City for the event. Although the accreditation procedure required a limited presence, scores of media organs thronged the Vatican to give the historic event the coverage it deserves. Besides Cameroonian and African media houses like Cameroon Tribune, CRTV, Canal2 International and Africa 24 prominent European media outfits were also present.

By championing global reduction of poverty and by inspiring much of the world through his modesty, Pope Francis enjoys enormous goodwill from the world media. The meeting with President Paul Biya last Friday, according to many media reports, evidently witnessed a convergence of views on many world issues.

Media reports identify the Cameroon Head of State as an apostle of peace, promoter of inter-religious harmony and a Statesman with the knack for building bridges of Stability not only in Cameron but in the Central African sub-region. The media coverage of the official visit of President Paul Biya to the Vatican last weekend showers sterling attributes to the two leaders and also to the quality and strength of relations between Cameroon and the Holy See.