Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira in the Vatican City, Italy
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa is today expected at the Vatican City State, where he has been granted an audience by the Catholic Church’s world leader, Pope Leo XIV.
Discussions between President Mnangagwa and the Pope will reflect on the contributions the church, particularly the Catholic Church, has made in Zimbabwe, in the social service sector, where schools and hospitals have been built.
They will also discuss geopolitical issues affecting the world and the church’s role in ensuring world peace. The Catholic Church has always been one of the vocal and respected voices in global discourse, playing a vital role in socio-economic development in countries such as Zimbabwe.
In an interview, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the Vatican, Ambassador Sekai Nzenza, confirmed the President’s visit.
President Mnangagwa becomes one of the first African leaders to have a meeting with the new Pope, since he was elected as the new pontiff in May this year.
“President Mnangagwa will be arriving here in Italy tomorrow (today). The main purpose of the visit is to meet His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV.
Zimbabwe has had cordial relations with the Vatican for many years, so the visit will strengthen our bilateral relations. We feel this is the most opportune time for our President to meet the new Pope,” said Ambassador Nzenza, who also represents Zimbabwe in France.
“President Mnangagwa is on record calling for the need to engage and re-engage with various countries. The Vatican is a key partner in strengthening relations and our relations date back to the liberation struggle, to social services where the Catholic Church constructed schools and hospitals.
“You will not be surprised to note how many people from both the public and private sectors have gone through Catholic Church institutions. So, during the meeting, the President might want to express gratitude, thanking the contribution made by the Catholic Church in that regard.”
She said it was a great honour for the President to be granted an audience with the Pope, becoming one of the first African leaders to get the privilege.
“You will also realise that the Pope represents the voice that can comment on geopolitical issues, through promotion of peace, well-being of humanity, the unity of the family, particularly on the use of Artificial Intelligence. He has equally been vocal in encouraging youths to be responsible,” said Amb Nzenza.
“What is pleasing is that Zimbabwe is one of the first African countries to have our Head of State meeting with the Pope, so we must celebrate that because it shows that the President is serious about his engagement drive.”
President Mnangagwa’s visit comes at a time when the Roman Catholic family worldwide is celebrating a Jubilee Year of Hope, including the celebration of Mass today.
The year 2025 is a Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church, a time of pilgrimage to visit Rome, seek forgiveness and experience spiritual renewal. The new Pope has been very active, and his recent messages include topics such as politics of hope, religious vocations and the digital age.
President Mnangagwa left home last night.
