Samia, Pope in cardial talks

• Underline need to promote world peace, cooperation

Vatican, ROME: PRESIDENT Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday held cordial discussion with Pope Francis, highlighting the existing good relations between Tanzania and the Holy See.

The bilateral talks with Pope Francis in Vatican also showcased their shared commitment on promoting world peace, while elevating bilateral cooperation for socio-economic sustainable development.

“They recalled the important role that the Catholic Church plays in the country in favour of the community, especially in the charitable, educational and healthcare spheres,” read the statement issued on Monday by the Holy See Press Office.

Adding: “they finally focused on the regional situation and international curent affairs and both parties expressed their mutual wish for an ever greater commitment to the promotion of peace.” After her meeting with Pope Francis, the President met with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, accompanied by the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.

Earlier on January 24 this year, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mr January Makamba announced the working visit, where he said Tanzania is not only known for embracing peace within its borders, but globally.

In that regard from the visit, the country was looking forward for new opportunities for strengthening peace and security by cooperating with the Vatican. Mr Makamba said the relation between the two started in 1960s when the Holy See opened its embassy in Dar es Salaam, and ever since the city has been at the frontline in spiritual, peace, education and health development activities through the Catholic Church.

In transforming the education sector, he said currently the Catholic Church runs an estimate of 240 nursery schools, 147 primary schools, 245 secondary schools, 110 vocation training centre and five universities, which have been producing outstanding leaders and experts serving in various disciplines.

Likewise, on health sector, he said the church has been delivering quality medical services to citizens from it’s an estimate of 473 health institutions across the country which have been playing critical role on cutting death rate.

On Sunday, Mr Makamba wrote on his X account (formerly Twitter) that President Samia upon arriving in Vatican would have a closed door bilateral talks with Pope Francis, who later on was scheduled to have an audience with the entire Tanzania’s delegation.

According to him, the delegation of the president’s visit to Vatican involved government senior officials and some representatives of the country’s Catholic Church believers, including the Chairperson of the Catholic Association of Tanzania, Ms Eveline Ntenga, who also doubles as the President of Catholic Women in Africa.

His list mentioned others as the Chairperson of the National Laity Council, Professor Deogratias Rutatora, Youth Catholic Workers Association Chairperson, Mr Leonard Mapolu, Chairperson of Zanzibar Laity Council, Mr Dalmas Geregory and the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam’s Chairperson of Holy Childhood Society, Ms Teresia Seder.

After the meeting with Pope Francis, President Samia further had talk with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, accompanied by the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.

Reacting on the visit, the Executive Secretary of the Association of Catholic Universities and Higher Institutes of Africa and Madagascar (ACUHIAM), Dr George Mtalemwa said the historic working visit by President Samia to Vatican, came at the right time to elevate diplomatic relations catalysed by Tanzania’s splendid international reputation for being a peaceful nation.

The ACUHIAM has its Permanent Secretariat at the Saint Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) in Mwanza, Tanzania.

“By inviting President Suluhu Hassan, Pope Francis is retracing the footsteps of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, who invited the former Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete to the Vatican in 2008,” he said.

For his part, Political Analyst, Dr Ahmad Sovu based at the Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Academy said the visit is a continuation of economic diplomacy being championed by President Samia.

He said the Holy See has diverse opportunities ranging from cultural to educational activities from which Tanzania has chance to market Kiswahili language and secure scholarship respectively.