Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira in VATICAN CITY, Italy
PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA arrived in Rome, Italy, Saturday morning where he is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with the Roman Catholic Church leader, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican City today.
The President is expected to hold talks with the new pontiff focussing on cooperation between the Vatican City and Harare on various socio-economic developments the church has been undertaking over the last decades, which include building schools and hospitals.
He was welcomed at Ciampino International Airport by Zimbabwe Ambassador to the Vatican, Dr Sekai Nzenza, Zimbabwe Ambassador to Italy Mrs Mietani Chauke, officials from the Vatican, embassy staff and senior Government officials.
President Mnangagwa is accompanied by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet responsible for Presidential Communications Mr George Charamba and senior Government officials.
The two leaders will also discuss geopolitical issues affecting the world and the church’s role in ensuring world peace.
The Roman Catholic Church has always been one of the vocal and respected voice in global discourse and has also played a role in socio-economic development in countries such as Zimbabwe through construction of schools and hospitals, among other critical projects.
Sometimes we deserve respect as citizens. What do we benefit as a country from the president’s visit to the Vatican? I listened to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Amon Murwira struggling to justify this visit. It was all clear that the visit was devoid of any importance. Resources must be channelled to more desperate situations like improving Sally Mugabe General Hospital that looks like a hospital in a war zone.