President Maada Bio Says Meeting Pope Leo XIV Was a Personal Honor
President Julius Maada Bio has publicly reflected on his encounter with Pope Leo XIV, describing the meeting as a significant moment rooted in his Catholic faith.
Bio made the remarks in a post on X, saying he was honored to meet the pope and expressing appreciation for Leo’s leadership of the Catholic Church. He also referenced his wife, First Lady Fatima Maada Bio, in the message.
The president identified himself as a devoted Catholic, framing the encounter primarily as a personal and religious experience rather than a government engagement.
Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, became pope in May 2025 following the death of Pope Francis. Reuters reported that Prevost had spent part of his priesthood as a missionary in Peru before rising to senior Vatican leadership.
Bio has maintained visible ties with the Catholic Church. In February 2026, he received Cardinal Arrigo Miglio during the cardinal’s pastoral visit to Sierra Leone. According to State House, Miglio conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s blessings to Bio and said he would brief the pope on his visit to the country.
Sierra Leone’s diplomatic representation to the Holy See has also maintained contact with the Vatican. The country’s embassy in Brussels, which is accredited to the Holy See, reported that Ambassador Philip Bob Jusu presented his credentials to Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace in May 2025.
The president’s latest comments therefore add a personal dimension to Sierra Leone’s continuing engagement with the Vatican, highlighting his Catholic identity alongside the country’s diplomatic relationship with the Holy See.