President Hakainde Hichilema says the government will continue to collaborate and partner with all religious bodies in the country for the social economic benefit of the people of Zambia.

President Hichilema highlights that the Catholic church in particular has been a great partner to the government especially in the health and education sectors.

ZANIS reports that the Head of State said this today at State House when Archbishop Gian Luca Perici, Apostolic Nuncio of the Vatican to Zambia paid a courtesy call on him to bring a message from Pope Francis.

President Hichilema stated that he appreciates and receives the message from the Pope thanking him for the support to Zambia in the debt restructuring process.

Pope Francis has sent a message of Hope, Peace and Unity to the President and the People of Zambia for the year 2025 ahead of the World Day of Peace which falls on the 1st January 2025.

In the message delivered by the Archbishop Gian Luca Perici, Apostolic Nuncio of the Vatican to Zambia this morning, Pope Francis has called for stronger collaboration between the government and the church as discussed during President Hichilema’s visit to the Vatican in February 2022.

Earlier Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation Mulambo Haimbe added that the message from the Pope is encouraging as the Catholic Church and Zambia will be celebrating 60 years of relations next year.