Burkina Faso-Niger Catholic Bishops Call for Prayers at Start of Ad Limina Visit to Rome

Vatican, 04 May, 2026 / 5:11 pm (ACI Africa).

Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Burkina Faso and Niger (CEBN) have called on the people of God to accompany them in prayer as they undertake their May 2-11 Ad Limina visit to Rome.

In a message addressed to the “Church Family of God” in both countries, CEBN members announced that they would be temporarily absent from their respective Dioceses during the visit, in accordance with the norms of the Catholic Church.

“Every Episcopal Conference is ordinarily required… to make a pilgrimage to the tombs of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, not only to manifest their hierarchical communion with the Successor of Peter, but also to strengthen their shared responsibility as successors of the Apostles,” the Catholic Bishops said.

They explained that the Ad Limina visit offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with the Pope and officials of the Roman Curia, while also presenting the pastoral, spiritual, and social realities of their dioceses.

“This period allows the Bishops to present together to the Pope the spiritual and social life of the dioceses entrusted to their pastoral care,” CEBN members said, noting that the visit also includes moments of prayer and spiritual renewal at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul.