The Inter Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA) joins the Universal Church in thanking God for the gift of the 267th Supreme Pontiff, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. As a region, we receive this great news with joy, as it resembles a sign of hope and unity in the Catholic Church. We welcome this historic event and promise our unwavering support to the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV. His great experience as a missionary and in working with the poor and the marginalised in Peru will be of great relevance to the Church in Africa. As IMBISA Region we are so grateful to God for giving us Shepherds always as He promised, “I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding” (Jeremiah 3:15).
The Church in IMBISA Region is flourishing and this year we are celebrating our Golden Jubilee, hence in this time of great joy we continue to pray for a united Church under the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV as his motto reads “ In illo uno umun” (in the one Christ we are one). We have great hope that the leadership of Pope Leo XIV will bring about greater unity and deepen the faith of the people of God. While we acknowledge the challenges and conflicts happening in our region and the whole world, we remain hopeful that God will grant Pope Leo XIV the courage, strength and wisdom to sow the seed of peace, as he embraces this immense responsibility of shepherding the Universal Church.
IMBISA reaffirms our full communion and collaboration with Pope Leo XIV and stand ready to work with him in addressing the pressing challenges facing our communities, including: conflicts, poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, interreligious dialogue, and environmental stewardship. May Mary, Mother of the Church, intercede for him and his mission as Successor of Peter and Pastor of the Universal Church.
| ✠Archbishop Liborius Ndumbukuti Nashenda, OMI | 12 May 2025 | ||
| IMBISA President | |||