President Mahama has stated that Ghana has begun procedures to obtain a permanent seat at the Vatican in Rome, Italy.

According to President Mahama securing a permanent seat at the Vatican would facilitate the diplomatic relations between Ghana and the Vatican.

President Mahama said this when he met the steering committee of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar.

President Mahama also described the decision of Pope Benedict XVI to resign as a shocking one.

Pope Benedict XVI announced his decision to resign at the end of this month saying he is too old to continue at the age of 85.

He became Pope in 2005 following John Paul II's death and is the first Pope to resign in 600 years.

Meanwhile, Ghanaian Cardinal Appiah Turkson has been touted as one of the favourites to replace Pope Benedict XVI.