Zimbabwe’s Vice President, General (Retired) Dr Constantino Chiwenga, met with the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, in Rome on Saturday, 3 May 2025. The discussions underscored a mutual commitment to advancing bilateral engagement, with a strong emphasis on educational and healthcare collaboration between the Holy See and Zimbabwe.
According to an official communiqué issued by the Holy See Press Office (Vatican.va), the meeting was conducted within the framework of ongoing dialogue between Zimbabwe and the Catholic Church. Both parties deliberated on the complex socio-political and economic landscape facing Zimbabwe, acknowledging the enduring role of the Church in national development, particularly in areas of social welfare.
The Vice President, who has previously emphasised the government’s commitment to religious diplomacy, was reported to have expressed appreciation for the Church’s longstanding presence and contributions within Zimbabwe. The Catholic Church currently operates a significant number of educational and medical institutions across the country, including several mission schools and hospitals which have remained operational through periods of socio-political upheaval.
The Vatican’s foreign minister reaffirmed the Church’s readiness to expand its developmental footprint in Zimbabwe. In particular, discussions centred on the potential to enhance collaborative efforts aimed at improving public service delivery in rural and underserved regions. Gallagher also highlighted the importance of peaceful coexistence, civic dialogue, and community-level reconciliation as pillars of sustainable development—principles reflected in Pope Francis’s broader diplomatic vision.
The dialogue additionally touched on regional dynamics in southern Africa and broader international concerns, reflecting the Holy See’s unique diplomatic posture as a sovereign entity with global moral influence. Archbishop Gallagher, who represents the Holy See in matters of international diplomacy, has consistently advocated for multilateral dialogue as a means of fostering peace and equity across nations.
Zimbabwe has, in recent years, sought to recalibrate its international relations amid ongoing efforts to attract foreign investment and rehabilitate its image on the global stage. This visit to the Vatican follows a series of engagements by Harare with multilateral partners and religious institutions aimed at reasserting Zimbabwe’s international presence.
