Harare, (New Ziana) -President Emmerson Mnangagwa has joined other world leaders in mourning the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, who died on Monday.

Pope Francis, who had been in poor health recently, died at the age of 88.

“At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord of his church,” the Vatican said in statement announcing his death.

President Mnangagwa described Pope Francis as a man of profound humility who stood for peace, compassion and justice.

“I join the world in mourning the passing of His Holiness, a man of profound humility who stood for peace, compassion, and justice. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Church and Catholics around the world. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” he said in a post on his X handle.

Pope Francis, who had been at the helm of the Roman Catholic Church since 2013, died hours after making a rare public appearance on Sunday to celebrate Easter Mass.

Due to ill-health, he had largely withdrawn from public engagements in recent months.

Last month, he spent weeks in hospital gravely ill, and was only discharged recently.

His appearance in public on Sunday, though on a wheelchair, had raised hopes among the Catholic faithful that he was on his was way to full recovery.

New Ziana