LUSAKA, APRIL 30, 2019 (CISA) -The new Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia, Archbishop Gianfranco Gallone on has arrived in Zambia.
He was received April 26 at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport by clergy, men and women religious, and the lay faithful.
“I am so happy to finally have arrived in Lusaka, Zambia to start my mission today in the name of the Holy Father. He is sending his special Apostolic Blessings to you and upon your families and upon the whole country,” Archbishop Gallone told the people gathered to welcome him.
“We have to thank the risen Lord who gives us strength and power to show how beautiful our faith is; the faith of love, justice and brotherhood. We have to start with Jesus our risen Lord to transform our society; giving peace, reconciliation and what we need to have a great offer for our future and we have to support each other with prayer,” he added.
Bishop George Cosmas Zumaire Lungu, president of Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops and Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Chipata said that the arrival of the new nuncio signified that the Catholic Church in Zambia is no longer an orphan.
“Allow me first to thank God for this special gift to Zambia, we are no longer orphans. He being among us is the physical presence and expression of the presence of His Holiness Pope Francis. We see him, we see our Pope,” he said addressing the congregation at the airport.
“The presence of Archbishop Gallone in Zambia means an experience of the universal Church, that Zambians are part of the universal Church whose boundary goes beyond the borders of the country,” he added.
Bishop Lungu thanked all who came to the airport to receive and welcome their new nuncio whose arrival and presence he described as a real cause of joy and celebration.
Archbishop Gallone was appointed to Zambia on February 2, 2019 replacing Archbishop Julio Murat who was transferred to Cameroon.
