Fellow Country Men and Women,
I have learnt of the passing on of His Holiness, the Universal Chief Priest of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis with great sadness and grief.
On behalf of the Patriotic Front Party, Tonse Alliance, my family and the Zambian people, I wish to send my deepest condolences to the Vatican, the Catholic Community and all people of faith around the world.
Pope Francis was a shining example of humility, compassion, grace and an unwavering dedication to promoting unity, human love, justice and peace throughout his life as demonstrated by his teachings and deeds. He lived and walked his famous teachings of “A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just”.
As we mourn him, may we be comforted and inspired of the great legacy he has left behind and seek to continue advocating for just peace, love, unity and Justice around the world.
To my fellow leaders across the world on this sad and solemn day, I implore you all to reflect on the legacy of the Pope. Even while his health was failing him, he never departed from preaching geniune peace, love, Justice and unity as demonstrated by his last Easter Sunday speech yesterday.
To all of us, this is the hallmark of servant leadership which the world needs today as we go through various forms of injustice, oppression and social-economic inequalities respectively.
May his Soul rest in eternal peace🙏
Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu
Sixth President of the Republic of Zambia
PF President and Tonse Alliance Chairman
