The head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, met on Saturday with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé at the Vatican, as Haiti continues to face escalating violence, political instability, and a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Following the audience with the Pope, Fils-Aimé also held talks with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.
In a statement, the Holy See Press Office described the discussions as cordial, noting that both sides acknowledged the longstanding relationship between Haiti and the Holy See.
The Vatican said the talks focused on the role of the Catholic Church in Haiti during what it described as a particularly difficult period for the country, alongside broader discussions on the socio-political crisis, humanitarian challenges, migration pressures, and security concerns.
It also underscored the importance of sustained international support to help Haiti address its current difficulties.
Haiti’s worsening security situation
The meeting comes as Haiti continues to experience severe instability, particularly in the capital Port-au-Prince, where armed gangs reportedly control large areas of the city and surrounding regions.
The violence has significantly disrupted daily life and weakened key institutions, including the Catholic Church.
General elections are currently scheduled for August 30, when voters are expected to choose a president, members of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, and local mayors.
Haiti’s last elections were held in 2016 and were widely contested.
Following those polls, former President Jovenel Moïse took office before being assassinated in 2021, an event that further deepened the country’s political crisis and insecurity.
Earlier this year, Haitian bishops’ conference vice president Pierre-André Dumas raised concerns about the credibility of the upcoming electoral process, warning that current conditions may not allow for a transparent or fully democratic vote.
