Otumfuo meets Pope Francis

Pope Francis last Friday hosted the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the Vatican City.

The historic meeting saw the Asantehene and the Pontiff engaged in a discussion of a series of key international issues.

The two powerful men reportedly talked at length about issues of world peace, Africa, religion and tradition, among others.

The meeting, which was supposed to have been held behind closed door, was said to have taken place in an office located close to the Pope’s library.

Otumfuo was dressed in a splendid cloth of green, yellow and black colours – which are the official colours of Asanteman – with gold ornaments to march.

Pope Francis was also dressed in all white apparel as he heartily engaged the Asantehene in what sources described as fruitful discussions.

Otumfuo was said to have made the important journey to the Vatican City in the company of his wife, Lady Julia Osei Tutu and two children.

His children are Oheneba Kwame Kyeretwie and Oheneba Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem.

Some prominent Asante chiefs, including Nana Otuo Serebuo, Juabenhene and Nana Effah Appenteng, Boatahanene, were also there.

The Apagyahene, Nana Owusu Afriyie and Nana Nsuase Poku Agyeman, the Asantehene’s Chief Linguist, were also part of the entourage.

The Vatican, the head of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, has a close link with the Manhyia Palace, the seat of the Asantehene.

It would be recalled that Pope Jon Paul II, in 1980 visited the then Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II at the Palace in Kumasi.