Luanda/Rome - The Angolese President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos on Friday is not allowing foreign press to formal visiting ceremony by Pope Benedict XVI despite a previous agreement.

Vatican spokesman Padr Federico Lombardi announced that the Vatican would request an explanation from the Angolan ambassador in Rome.

Vatican journalists reported that only representatives of Angola's national media were allowed into the ceremonial visit by the pope.

The Vatican journalists, who were made to wait isolated in a nearby room while the ceremony took place, announced a protest.

The pope arrived in Angola earlier Friday and is to return to Rome on Monday. (dpa)