By Cedric Nkungula
In a historic official visit to Rome, President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera on Monday 19th August 2024 met with His Holiness Pope Francis at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City.
During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the progress of bilateral relations between Malawi and the Holy See, drawing both on historical ties between the two States and on their shared unique place in the global community as the only Heads of State whose formal training is in Theology and Philosophy and whose transition to leadership in the State emanated from their leadership in the Church.
In his remarks, President Chakwera conveyed to His Holiness the Pope his great delight in having an audience with him, stressing that he had come not only representing the Malawian people, a significant portion of which are Catholics, but also as a student and disciple eager to continue learning about servant-leadership that puts the needs of the people first.
President Chakwera also used the meeting to commend Pope Francis for his leadership in matters of global concern, such as climate change and rising economic inequality, advocating for partnership between the two States.
On a personal note, the Malawi leader also expressed his sadness and condolences to His Holiness on the recent tragic passing of Former Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, whom the Pope had met in 2016.
Chakwera described late Dr. Chilima as “a devout Catholic and a source of inspiration for millions of Malawians”, and thanked the Pontif for the exceptional leadership and ministry of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi in shepherding Malawians through the daze of shock, grief, and confusion that followed the tragic plane crash that claimed the life of the Vice President and right others on June 10th.
For his part, Pope Francis expressed great joy at meeting the President and pronounced his blessing upon him and the people of Malawi, pledging support for and solidarity with Malawi’s quest for greater prosperity and peace.
His Holiness the Pope also directed that the Vatican’s Secretary of State meet the President before his departure from the Holy See, not only to make further progress on how the relations between Malawi and the Vatican can be strengthened, but to also to see to it that the President was conducted on a private tour of St. Peter’s Basilica for a moment of prayer for Malawi-Vatican relations.
