Harare,  (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday signed the book of condolence at the Apostolic Nunciature in Mt Pleasant following the passing of Pope Francis, who was laid to rest on Saturday.

Accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira, President Mnangagwa was received by Archbishop Janusz Stanislaw, the Holy See envoy to Zimbabwe.

Addressing the media after signing the book of condolence, President Mnangagwa described Pope Francis as a global symbol of peace, compassion, and humility. “I am here on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe to extend our deepest sympathies following the passing of Pope Francis,” he said.

“Zimbabwe is a Christian nation, and although I am not Catholic, we join together with Christians everywhere in mourning the loss of a leader who belonged to all believers.”

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88, after suffering a stroke and cardiovascular complications, prompting an outpouring of grief across the global Christian community.

He passed away at his residence at Casa Santa Marta, a guesthouse at the Vatican where he had lived since his election in 2013, officials said.

Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936 in Flores, a neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and became the first Latin-American pontiff.

He was last seen on Easter Sunday when he gave the traditional Easter blessing from the balcony of St Peter’s, after having spent many weeks away from the public eye due to hospitalisation.

His death will now open a debate about the future direction of the Catholic Church, with cardinals expected to gather soon in Rome to elect his successor.

Vice President General (Retired) Constantino Chiwenga attended the funeral in Rome, together with many other world leaders including United States President Donald Trump and his predecessor Joe Biden, Britain’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Prince William.

New Ziana