By 
President Hakainde Hichilema has expressed deep sadness over the passing of Pope Francis, who died at 07:35 local time on Easter Monday.
In a Facebook post on Monday, President Hichilema described the late Pontiff as “a man of great humility and compassion” who led the Catholic Church by example.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis. We join Catholics and fellow Christians across the world in mourning today,” the President stated.
President Hichilema noted the symbolic nature of the Pope’s death during a Jubilee Year and on Easter Monday, calling it a moment of spiritual significance.
Opposition leaders also joined in mourning the global religious leader include Citizens First Party leader Harry Kalaba who wrote: “I have learnt of the passing of the Holy Father this morning with profound sadness. On behalf of Citizens First and on my own behalf, I wish to convey my deepest condolences to all the faithful in the Catholic Church in Zambia and around the world.”
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Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) Spokesperson, Anthony Chibuye, described Pope Francis’ death as a great loss to the world, noting that it came at a time when global leadership rooted in moral clarity was needed most.
“Pope Francis has been a pioneering voice—from his early days as a priest in Argentina to his rise as Pontiff following Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation,” Chibuye said.
He added that the late Pope would be remembered for his consistent calls for global peace, including appeals to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Sudanese civil war, and the Russia-Ukraine war.
“As FDD, we are grateful to the Roman Catholic Church for the life of service and humanity which Pope Francis lived. President Chifumu Banda and the entire FDD join the rest of the world in offering our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Catholic faithful on this great loss,” Chibuye said.
Former President Edgar Lungu has described later Pope Francis was a shining example of humility, compassion, grace and an unwavering dedication to promoting unity.
Lungu said Pope Francis was a shining example of human love, justice and peace throughout his life as demonstrated by his teachings and deeds.
In his Facebook Post on Monday, April, 21, 2025, Lungu stated that Pope Francis 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,” he said.
Lungu also encouraged others leaders across the world to reflect on the legacy of the Pope.
He said even while his health was failing him, Pope Francis never departed from preaching geniune peace, love, Justice and unity as demonstrated by his last Easter Sunday speech.
“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,” Lungu wrote
Similary, the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has expressed deep sorrow following the passing of Pope Francis, describing the late pontiff as a selfless shepherd who faithfully guided the Universal Church for twelve years.
In a message of condolence addressed to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State at the Vatican, ZCCB President Archbishop Ignatius Chama said the Catholic Church in Zambia grieves with the entire Universal Church.
“We are grateful to God the Father for the gift of the Universal Shepherd who, with faith and selflessness, guided the Church of Christ for the past twelve years,” Archbishop Chama stated.
He also said the church in Zambia prays that Christ, who conquered death, would welcome Pope Francis into the heavenly Kingdom.
“May the soul of the Holy Father Pope Francis rest in eternal peace” the Archbishop concluded.
Pope Francis, 88 years old , died at his residence at 07:35 hours in the morning, at 09:45 hours Cardinal Kevin Farrell Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the death of the Holy Father from the Casa Santa Marta.
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