He was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam and principal secretary for information Rene Morel.

Mr Michel said: “I was deeply moved by the warm reception I received from the Holy Father, especially as this is the second time that we have met to discuss matters of importance to the Holy See and to Seychelles.

“We discussed the work of the Roman Catholic Church in Seychelles and Africa, the conservation of the environment, and the need to promote peace and equity in the region.

“His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has conveyed his thoughts and prayers to the people of Seychelles, and I also assured His Holiness of warm wishes and prayers from the people of Seychelles.”

The President said the audience with the Holy Father is of particular importance to the people of Seychelles, as 90% of the population are Roman Catholic faithful belonging to the Diocese of Port Victoria led by Bishop Denis Wiehe.

“We are very blessed in Seychelles to have peace and stability,” said Mr Michel.

“While we have many challenges ahead of us, we recognise that the Roman Catholic Church has a vast role to play in Seychellois society, particularly in educating young people to lead a good and moral life, as well as rehabilitating those who have fallen into the trap of drug abuse and alcoholism.”

Mr Michel noted that the Pope has been particularly concerned with the environmental issues of this era, calling on people around the world to change their lifestyles so as to ensure global peace and stability.
 
“The Pope’s support, understanding and appeal for a fight against climate change will help Small Island Developing States like Seychelles to further their argument on the world stage – that the survival of islands and the human right of their peoples to exist are at risk if climate change is not decelerated,” he said. 

On behalf of the Seychellois people, Mr Michel also presented His Holiness with an official gift of a painting of Anse Boileau Church. This represents the role that the Catholic Church is playing in the heart of Seychellois communities and also the support that the Seychellois state will continue to give to the work of the Church.

President Michel and his delegation were also received by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State to the Pope.

Seychelles and the Holy See established diplomatic relations in December 1983.