Pope has profound understanding of social issues in Africa, says visiting Zambian president

Zambian President Haikainde Hichilema, who had a private meeting with Pope Francis on Saturday, discussed economic and social issues in his country and was impressed that the pope has a profound understanding of such issues in Zambia and the rest of Africa. 

Hichilema said Pope Francis is aware and well informed about the development policies that his government has embarked upon and praised the pope for his progressive views on development in Africa.

“The pope is aware of our educational policies of offering education to all, including those that are disadvantaged. I told the pope that I am a beneficiary of free education. Born in a village and education made the difference,” Hichilema told Vatican News.

“I am glad to be here, and I am grateful to the Vatican and the establishment for giving us this opportunity to meet the pope early in our presidency -- we are still less than six months into office. We are really grateful,” said Hichilema who came to power in an August 2021 landslide vote that saw his UPND political party form a government for the first time ever.

Education will be fundamental to changing Zambian society, said the president whose government has abolished all school fees from primary to secondary school and aims to provide free tertiary education at college and university level.

According to zambiawatchdog.com, Hichilema praised Pope Francis for the Catholic Church’s unwavering support to Zambia and wrote: 

“We discussed matters of mutual interest with His Holiness and expressed our deep gratitude to the Catholic Church for its unwavering commitment to the development of Zambia and it’s citizens in all areas of human endeavors, for almost 130 years it’s been operating in Zambia.

“Of particular interest to Zambians is that Pope Francis comes from the Jesuit order, a branch of the Catholic clerics that has had a profound influence on Zambia’s education system for over a century.

“We therefore reiterated our resolve to working with the Church back home in fostering development and improving our people’s livelihoods.”

Hichilema visited Rome on his way to Brussels. In Vatican City, besides meeting with the pope on February 19, he also met with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Msgr. Mirosław Wachowski, Under-Secretary for Relations with States. 

Zambia is officially a Christian nation according to its 1996 constitution. Christians make up more than 97% of the population, with an overwhelming majority of Protestants, estimated at 77%, and Catholics at 21%.

Hichilema, an Adventist, is Zambia’s sixth president since the country gained independence from Britain in 1964.

The valued contribution of the Catholic Church

The Zambian head of state said he informed the pope that his government respects the freedom of worship for all Churches and prioritizes unity among Zambia. 

“We as a government will embrace all religious organizations in our country. They all have space, and they all have the right to basically promote their evangelical work,” Hichilema said.

Hichilema also praised "the valued contribution of the Catholic Church in many sectors of society," the Vatican said.

The president had also done the same at home before leaving for the Vatican. "The Catholic Church in Zambia continues to be a beacon of hope, a defender of social justice and a barometer of the conscience of our nation," he had said in a message.  

Hichilema, an Adventist, is Zambia’s sixth president since the country gained independence from Britain in 1964. 

A statement from the Holy See Press Office indicated that during the “cordial discussions” in the Vatican, the parties focused on some aspects of the economic and social situation of the country.  

“In addition to highlighting the good relations between the Holy See and Zambia, the issue of universal access to vaccines and treatment for COVID-19 was mentioned, as well as the possibility of proceeding with the study of the drafting of a bilateral agreement, as a further sign of respectful cooperation,” read the Holy See communique.

During their meeting Pope Francis presented President Hichilema with a mosaic of the biblical figure of Noah, with the words “With Noah God opens a way of salvation, for the creation and for every human being. 

The pope also gave the president a collection of documents from his pontificate, including the 2022 Message for Peace; the Document on Human Fraternity; and a book on the Statio Orbis of 27 March 2020, when Pope Francis prayed for with the whole world to overcome the coronavirus emergency. 

For his part, Hichilema offered the pope a sculpture in wood and copper representing the typical musical instruments of Zambia.