The Holy See maintains an apostolic nunciatureinBangui, while the Central African Republic has no diplomatic representation to Vatican City. The most recent apostolic nuncio of the Holy See in CAR was ArchbishopFranco Coppola (2014–2016),[1][2] but he was reassigned in the summer of 2016 and currently the position is vacant. Another notable former apostolic nuncio to CAR is Joseph Chennoth (1999–2005).[3]
Pope Francis made a visit to the Central African Republic in November 2015 and encouraged the country's process of national reconciliation, amidst the civil war that has been going on there. He was greeted by crowds and a celebration took place in Bangui, as the Pope urged both Christian and Muslim militants to lay down their arms. Pope Francis met with interim President Catherine Samba-Panza during his visit.[5] After being elected President of the Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadéra visited Vatican City as his first international trip, in April 2016.[6][7] He thanked the Pope for visiting their country at a difficult period in its history and stated that with the peaceful 2015–16 general elections and the ongoing process of demobilizing militias, the country is on the path to recovery.[8]
A Framework Agreement was signed on 6 September 2016 between CAR and the Holy See at the presidential palace in Bangui, with Charles-Armel Doubane, Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration signing on the behalf of the former, and Archbishop Franco Coppola signing on behalf of the latter. The signing was done in the presence of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra. The agreement consists of 21 articles and establishes relations between the Catholic Church and the state, as well as areas of mutual interest for cooperation between them.[2]
