Tanzania launches book on Franciscan heritage and social impact

Ngwaru Jumanne Maghembe, Tanzania’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, has launched a new book titled ‘Saint Francis of Assisi in Tanzania: A Living Presence’. The publication aims to preserve the history and contributions of the Franciscan Order to Tanzania, particularly in the sectors of education, health, and social services.

The launch took place on October 2, 2026, at the Padre Pio Shrine Pastoral Centre in Dar es Salaam, marking the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. The event highlighted how the Franciscan legacy serves as a bridge for friendship and cooperation between Tanzania and other nations.

Italian Ambassador Giuseppe Coppola noted that the book illustrates the fraternal bonds between Tanzania and Italy through social and cultural ties. Swiss Ambassador Nicole Providoli also remarked on the historical significance of the Franciscans, who arrived in Tanganyika from Switzerland in 1921, strengthening long-standing cooperation between Switzerland and Tanzania.