Pope Francis has received Alassane Ouattara, the president of Côte d’Ivoire since 2010.

In the Vatican statement that followed the September 17 audience, there was a brief reference to the “reconciliation process” in Côte d’Ivoire. The 2010–2011 Ivorian crisis erupted after a disputed presidential election.

The West African nation of 28.1 million (map) is 42% Muslim, 35% Christian (16% Catholic), and 22% ethnic religionist.