Macenje Mazoka presents credentials to Pope Francis
Macenje Mazoka presents credentials to Pope Francis
Ambassador Macenje Mazoka on Saturday, 8th June 2024, successfully presented her letters of credence to the Holy Father Pope Francis, accrediting her as Zambia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Holy See.
Her Excellency Mazoka arrived in Rome a few days prior, for scheduled engagements with key Holy See staff, among them Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations Archbishop Gallegher, and with the Secretary of State His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Archbishop Gallegher acknowledged Zambia’s positive strides towards development and looks forward to further success.
The Secretary of State welcomed Zambia’s on-going good relations with the Holy See and indicated that its peaceful nature is appreciated and encouraged.
During the presentation of credentials at the Vatican, Pope Francis requested Ms Mazoka to convey his greetings and sentiments of esteem to President Hakainde Hichilema, assuring him of prayers for him and for Zambians.
Ms Mazoka was among ambassadors from Ethiopia, Tanzania, Burundi, Qatar and Mauritania who also presented their letters of credence this morning.
In his address, the Holy Father reflected on family, hope and peace, three words that would guide the diplomatic service.
He said the nation that Ms Mazoka and others represent were part of the human family.
Pope Francis said:
“Indeed, the image of the family, applied to the international community is a fitting one, for ‘families are the first places where the values of love and fraternity, togetherness and sharing, concern and care for others are lived out and handed on”
“The noble work of diplomacy, on both the bilateral and multilateral levels, aims to promote and enhance such values, for they are indispensable to each person’s authentic and integral; human development, as well as to the progress of all peoples.”
Pope Francis noted, sadly, that the fabric of the family of nations today is torn by the tragedy of civil, regional and international strife, referring to what is happening in Sudan, Ukraine, Gaza and Haiti, and other humanitarian crises that result from conflict.
He called for attention to problems of forced migration, human trafficking, the effects of climate change, especially upon the poorest and most vulnerable, and global economic imbalances that contribute to a loss of hope, especially among young people.
Pope Francis said:
“I trust that your mission will contribute not only to the consolidation of the good relations existing between your nations and the Holy See, but also to the building of a more just and humane society in which all are welcomed and given the necessary opportunities to advance together among the path of fraternity and peaceful co-existence.”
Pope Francis stated that only when people set aside indifferences and fear could genuine climate of mutual respect that leads to lasting concord grow and flourish.
He told the ambassadors that their presence before him was an eloquent sign of the resolution of their nations and the international community to address situations of injustice, discrimination, poverty and inequality that afflict the world and hamper the peaceful aspirations of present and future generations.
He added:
“Dear ambassadors, as you begin your mission to the Holy See, I offer you my prayerful good wishes and I assure you of the constant readiness of the Secretariat of State and other Dicasteries and Offices of the Roman Catholic Curia to assist you in the fulfillment of your duties.”
The London based Ambassador Mazoka is also accredited to the Court of St James’s (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) and Ireland.
Issued by:
SPEEDWELL MUPUCHI
First Secretary – Press
Zambia High Commission
London