Sir Ben Assorow Meets Pope Leo XIV — Kente, Diplomacy and A Blessing for Ghana.
Ghana’s new Ambassador to the Holy See, H.E. Sir Benedict Batabe Assorow, has made an assured and energetic entry into Rome, immediately setting to work on an intensive diplomatic agenda that culminated in a historic audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
Sir Ben, a distinguished Papal Knight and former Editor of The Catholic Standard, arrived in Italy on October 22 to a warm reception led by Msgr. John Paul of the Protocol Office of the Holy See, supported by staff of Ghana’s Embassy to the Holy See. From that moment, the new envoy has not slowed down.
A MONTH OF NON-STOP DIPLOMACY
In just four weeks, Ambassador Assorow has engaged extensively the heart of Vatican diplomacy. His activities include:
A meeting with Monsignor Javier D. Fernandez, Head of Protocol of the Holy See.
Presentation of copies of his Credential Letters to Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Substitute for General Affairs.
Talks with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations.
High-level discussions with His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State.
He has also paid courtesy calls on:
H.E. Antoine Zanga, Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps
Sir George Poulides, Dean of all Diplomats accredited to the Holy See
The Ambassadors of Italy, Ukraine, Poland and the Netherlands
With an appointment scheduled shortly with the British Ambassador to the Holy See.
THE BIG MOMENT: GHANA IN THE PAPAL LIBRARY
On November 13, Sir Ben formally presented his Letters of Credence to Pope Leo XIV inside the Apostolic Palace. What followed was an intimate, warm and forward-looking conversation in the Holy Father’s private library.
In a display of Ghanaian cultural pride, Sir Ben presented the Pope with a beautifully woven kente stole inscribed with the Holy Father’s name, a kente cloth for decorative purposes, and a set of branded items from Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Sir Ben also presented a copy of Dreamers and Doers: Six Habits of Relentless Achievers to Pope Leo XIV. The book is by James Elorm Atsu Kwame Dunyo, a fourth-year theology seminarian at St. Peter’s Regional Seminary, Pedu, and a parishioner of Christ the King Cathedral, Akatsi, in the Catholic Diocese of Keta-Akatsi.
The Pope, visibly delighted by the symbolic gifts, reciprocated with a comprehensive reference book on the Vatican, a gesture reflecting mutual respect and the beginning of a deepened relationship.
Pope Leo XIV praised the “excellent and time-tested relations” between Ghana and the Holy See, reaffirming the Church’s enduring commitment to peace, human dignity and the welfare of all people, irrespective of creed.
He spoke warmly of the Church’s longstanding contributions to Ghana—especially in education, health, agriculture and social development—and emphasised the Church’s closeness to the poor and marginalised.
GHANA INVITES THE POPE – AND HE IS INTERESTED
Sir Ben briefed the Holy Father on two national milestones ahead:
Ghana’s 70th Independence Anniversary in 2027 and
150 years of the Catholic Church in Ghana in 2030
Pope Leo XIV responded with joy, expressing interest in visiting Ghana and describing such a mission as “a blessing and a joy.” He also indicated that the President of Ghana would be warmly received at the Vatican.
RESET AGENDA FRONT AND CENTRE
The Ambassador outlined the priorities of Ghana’s Reset Agenda, including:
The 24-Hour Economic Programme
The fight against illegal mining (galamsey)
Anti-corruption initiatives and
Efforts to improve the lives of ordinary citizens
Sir Ben thanked the Pope for his moral leadership, particularly through Dilexi Te (I Have Loved You), and pledged to work tirelessly to deepen Ghana–Holy See relations.
At the end of the Audience, he requested a special Apostolic Blessing. Pope Leo XIV graciously extended it to the Ambassador, his delegation, the President, as well as Government and people of Ghana.
Sir Ben was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Josephine Assorow, his daughter Elizabeth, senior mission staff, and members of the Ghanaian Catholic community in Italy.
With such an accomplished start, Ghana’s new Ambassador has placed the country squarely on the Vatican’s diplomatic radar—and raised the nation’s profile on the global Catholic stage.
