BUJUMBURA, August 19 (ABP) – The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on an official visit to Burundi since August 12, 2025, concluded his visit on Monday, August 18, 2025. Upon his departure from Melchior Ndadaye International Airport, Cardinal Parolin expressed his thoughts on his stay. He stated that his pastoral visit was captivating and vibrant. “Every stage since my arrival is engraved in my heart. I would like to warmly thank the President of the Republic and his government, here represented by the Vice-President of the Republic, for the extraordinary hospitality I received,” he said.
He noted that the recent opening of a diplomatic mission of Burundi to the Holy See marks a stage of maturity in the relations between the two parties and elevates Burundi even further in the community of nations. He expressed his gratitude to all heads of institutions and other authorities who contributed to the success of this visit. Through Archbishop Bonaventure Nahimana, chairman of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Burundi, his fraternal and cordial gratitude goes to the pastors of the Catholic Church who, according to him, gave him a warm welcome. Through them, he thanked all the Christian communities in the country.
The Vatican Secretary of State emphasized the vitality of the Catholic Church in Burundi, which has taken serious steps toward maturity. In particular, he referred to specific agreements between the episcopal conference and the government of Burundi, which offer the local Church a better framework for carrying out its mission of evangelization and for collaboration with the State.
Before concluding his remarks, he greeted the Burundian people with the same words used by Pope John Paul II: “People of Burundi, you have before you immense tasks, do not stop on the path that leads to truly fraternal reconciliation and to unity, which alone will allow you to overcome the obstacles of poverty and to pursue the necessary development of your country. Remain faithful to the precious good of the noble tradition of your heritage. Be attentive to respecting the rights of every human being to live free and confident in their future. Strengthen peace on the land you inhabit, entrust your sorrows and concerns to God, Father of all love, to Christ the Savior, and to the Spirit of Truth.”