By Chisomo Phiri
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and the First Lady, Madam Monica Chakwera, have expressed deep sorrow following the death of the global leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis.
In an official statement, President Chakwera and his wife have described the Pope as a remarkable leader who leaves behind a lasting legacy of faith, love, selflessness, and a steadfast commitment to peace, justice, and unity.
The two further state that Pope Francis will be remembered for his passionate advocacy for good leadership and for being a shining example of reform within the Catholic Church through various initiatives and approaches.
Reads the statement in part:”We offer our deepest condolences to his family the faithful he led worldwide and all Catholics in Malawi on the passing of a great man. May God grant him eternal peace.
The Malawi’s first couple met the Pope in the Vatican nine months ago where the pontiff encouraged the country to continue in pursuit of meaningful change even in the face of global and natural calamities that were pulling in the opposite direction.
Pope Francis died on Monday morning at the age of 88.
The pontiff spent his final weeks in hospital with an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs.
He was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in Argentina.
The Argentine became the first pope from outside Europe in 1,300 years when he was chosen to replace the retiring Pope Benedict XVI on March 14 in 2013.
