Pope’s condolence on death of Zambia’s first cardinal

August 30, 2013 - Pope Francis expressed deep sadness on Friday, on hearing about the death of Zambia first Cardinal, Medardo Joseph Mazombwe. The 81-year old retired Archbishop of Lusaka died on Thursday evening at Lusaka’s University Teaching Hospital. In a condolence message to Archbishop Telesphore George Mpundu of Lusaka, the Pope wrote, “With gratitude to Almighty God, I recall his unfailing commitment to the spread of the Gospel in Africa and his tireless efforts on behalf of the poor.” The Holy Father said he was joining all those mourning the late cardinal “in praying that God the Father of mercies may grant him the reward of his labours and welcome his noble soul into the peace and joy of heaven.” Cardinal Mazombwe was formerly a member of the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and of the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum”. Cardinal Mazombwe was born on 24 Sep 1931 at Katete in the Eastern Province of Zambia. He was ordained a priest on 4 September 1960 and became Bishop of Chipata on 7 Feb 1971. Since 1996 he had been the Archbishop of Lusaka until his retirement in 2006. When Pope Benedict XVI made him a cardinal in the consistory of November 30, 2010, Cardinal Mazombwe became Zambia’s first indigenous cardinal. With his death the number of cardinals in the world now stands at 201, of whom 112 are below the age of 80 and hence are eligible to vote for a new pope in case of a conclave.