VILLAGE URUGWIRO- The Vatican representative to Rwanda, Ivo Scapolo, yesterday bid farewell to President Paul Kagame, pledging more collaboration from the Catholic Church.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the meeting at Village Urugwiro, Scapolo said that the call on the President was part of the good collaboration the Catholic Church has had with Rwanda, which has seen the latter increase support in sectors like education and health.

Scapolo, who has been the Holy See Ambassador to Rwanda for the last three years, was transferred to Chile.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Louise Mushikiwabo, noted that the bilateral relations between Rwanda and the Catholic Church have improved during Scapolo’s spell in Rwanda.

She explained that Scapolo and the President discussed the bilateral relations between Vatican and Rwanda and further collaboration.

"The President commended the bilateral relations between the Catholic Church and Rwanda which have improved. The history of this country and the Catholic Church had some hitches.

There were periods where there were misunderstandings, but for the last three years, he (Scapolo) has been in Rwanda, there were good relations and mutual understanding,” said Mushikiwabo.

She noted that the President and Scapolo also suggested that the Catholic Church and the government hold periodic meetings to further enhance the working relations and activities "because the Catholic Church has many activities, especially in education, health”.

"We are happy for these projects, but there is a need to further enhance the partnership between the government and the Catholic Church,” she added.

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