Ablakwa Represents Mahama at Pope Leo's Inauguration Mass, Meets Cardinal Turkson in Vatican

Vatican city - 18 May, 2025 - Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, represented the country at the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV at Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City.

The ceremony, which drew dignitaries from around the world, formally marked the beginning of the Pope's papacy.

Ablakwa, who attended on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, described the experience as a "profound honour" in a Facebook post.

He expressed appreciation for the Pope's warmth and blessings during the ceremony.

Following the inauguration, Ablakwa met with Cardinal Peter Turkson, a prominent Ghanaian cleric.

Alongside incoming Ambassador to the Holy See, Madam Sati Ocran, they conveyed President Mahama's best wishes to the Cardinal and celebrated his achievements as a Catholic prelate and Chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences. 

Ablakwa expressed admiration for Cardinal Turkson's globally acclaimed accomplishments and gratitude for his "fatherly and spiritual insights".

''After the Inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV, we conferred with His Eminence Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson. Together with incoming Ambassador to the Holy See, Madam Sati Ocran we conveyed President Mahama’s best wishes and celebrated his exploits as Catholic Prelate and Chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences. Ghana remains immensely proud of Cardinal Turkson’s globally acclaimed accomplishments. I am deeply grateful for the fatherly and spiritual insights'', Ablakwa wrote on his X accountn(formerly Twitter).

Source: Lead News Online