By Sellah Singini

Lilongwe, April 26, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has described late Pope Francis as a man of grand vision for humanity, kindness and faith.

He said this Saturday at Maula Cathedral in Lilongwe during the Requiem Mass for Pope Francis.

Chakwera said Pope Francis dedicated his  service to the poor, the marginalized, the weak, and the condemned.

"I will always cherish that encounter I had with Pope Francis some nine months ago. It lifted and soothed my spirit at a time when I was going through the darkest and most painful season of my presidency, and a season of deep anguish and pain for us Malawians.

“Pope Francis expressed his condolences for the calamities we had suffered as a nation through his words of comfort and encouragement,” Chakwera said.

He, therefore, said he prays for a special touch of comfort from God  as the passing of the Pope continues to be mourned by millions around the world, and all Catholics in Malawi.

Archbishop George Desmond Tambala of Lilongwe Diocese thanked President Chakwera and Madam Monica Chakwera for attending the mass.

He said the unity among Catholic members has been demonstrated through mass conducted in the 49 parishes under the Lilongwe diocese in honour of late Pope Francis.

"Late Pope Francis preached about peace. This was demonstrated when he humbled himself and kissed the feet of South Sudanese leaders to plead them for sustainable peace,” Tambala said.

Pope Francis born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio died on 21 April, 2025 at the age of 88.