VP Chilima off to Vatican, to extend APM’s invitation for Pope Francis to visit  Malawi

Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima is travelling  to Rome, Italy’s capital, and will head to the Vatican, a separate state, for a one day official visit, his press officier has dislcosed.

Pilirani Phiri, the spokesman for the Vice President, said on Tuesday that Chilima, a devout Catholic  will attend thw General Audience iat the Vatican and meet head of the influential Catholic church, Pope Franics.

“Upon his arrivial on Wednesday, October 26, Vice President Chilima will attend the General Audience at the Vatican where he will also greet the Holy Father, Pope Francis,” Phiri said in a media statement made available to Nyasa Times.

He said Chilima will use the opportunity of the visit  to invite  on behalf of Malawi President Peter Mutharika, for  His Holiness the Pope to visit Malawi.

“Dr Chilima will later the same day meet His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Paralin, Vatican Secretary of State. During the meeting, Dr Chilima will extend an invitation from His Excellency Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of Malawu, for Pope Francis to visit Malawi,” the statement said.

State House official confirmed Chilima will extend Mutharika’s invitation for Pope Francis to visit Malawi.

“We would want him to visit Malawi the same way Pope John Paul did. We remember that memorable visit that he made,” said State House official.

According to Phiri, the Veep will return home on Thursday, October 27.