By Dylan Bettencourt
King Mswati III of Eswatini and his new wife, 21-year-old Nomcebo Zuma – daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma – met Pope Francis at the Vatican on Friday.
During a private 30-minute meeting, they spoke about the Pope’s leadership of the Catholic Church and other important matters.
The royal couple’s visit to the Vatican was part of a grand three-country tour that is expected to cost around R200-million. About 70% of Eswatini’s population lives below the poverty line.
The trip also includes a state visit to Serbia and attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.
King Mswati expressed his respect for the Pope’s leadership and encouraged the Catholic community to continue its positive work globally.
After the meeting, the King and his entourage toured the Vatican, including the iconic St Peter’s Basilica.
Nomcebo Zuma was recently introduced as the King’s 16th wife. Jacob Zuma, however, has not approved of the marriage and did not attend the pair’s engagement or wedding.
King Mswati III reportedly paid a lobola of R2-million and 100 head of cattle.
Pictured above: King Mswati III and Nocembo Zuma meeting Pope Francis.
Source: Eswatini government
