Story by ZBC Reporter
THE Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, attended a landmark audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, marking the conclusion of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Interfaith Dialogue held in Rome.
The meeting, held in the Hall of Benedictions on Saturday, brought together parliamentary and religious leaders from 68 nations.
In his address, Pope Leo XIV described politics as “the highest form of charity,” urging political leaders to serve the common good through compassion, inclusivity, and ethical leadership. He called upon lawmakers to uphold human dignity, promote equity, and ensure peace through sincere interfaith engagement.
The Pontiff also emphasised the ethical governance of emerging technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence. While acknowledging AI’s potential to enhance communication and understanding, he cautioned against its misuse, asserting that technology must always serve humanity rather than override human dignity and freedom.
Calling for principled governance, Pope Leo XIV invoked the example of Saint Thomas More, highlighting his enduring legacy of leadership rooted in truth, justice, and transparency.
Speaker Mudenda and his delegation later toured several significant Vatican landmarks, including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, testaments to the deep interconnection between faith, culture, and history.
Reflecting on the visit, Speaker Mudenda expressed profound gratitude for the audience with the Pontiff and reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to nurturing interfaith harmony and ethical leadership, both domestically and on the international stage.
