杏MAP导航

By Vatican News staff reporter

Zambian president Hakainde Hichilema was received by 杏MAP导航 Francis at the Vatican on Saturday morning. Following the audience with the Holy Father, President Hichilema met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Monsignor Miros艂aw Wachowski, the Undersecretary for Relations with States.

A statement from the Holy See Press Office indicated some of the major topics covered by the 鈥渃ordial discussions,鈥� including aspects of the country鈥檚 economic and social situation, and the valued contribution of the Church in various sections of society. The issue of universal access to Covid-19 vaccines and treatment was also treated, as well as the possibility of further study with regard to the drafting of a bilateral agreement between Zambia and the Holy See, 鈥渁s a further sign of respectful cooperation.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis' audience with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema

Exchange of gifts

During the papal audience, 杏MAP导航 Francis presented President Hichilema with a mosaic of the biblical figure of Noah, with the words 鈥淲ith Noah God opens a way of salvation, for creation and for every human being.鈥� The Holy Father 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 杏MAP导航 Francis prayed for and with the whole world to overcome the coronavirus emergency.

For his part, President Hichilema offered 杏MAP导航 Francis a sculpture in wood and copper representing the typical musical instruments of Zambia.