His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed His Excellency the Most Reverend Dom Francisco Chimoio, O.F.M. Cap. (Archbishop Emeritus of Maputo), to the office of Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of Xai-Xai, following the transfer of Dom Lúcio Andrice Muandula, currently Diocesan Bishop of Chimoio.
As an Apostolic Administrator, Dom Francisco Chimoio assumes the pastoral governance of the Diocese until the appointment and installation of the future Bishop of the Diocese. The appointment was made know by the Vatican Curia on Sunday 22 | February | 2026, during the instalation Mass of Mons. Lucio in Chimio. His Excellency Francisco Chimoio is a Capuchin Friar who first served as Bishop of Pemba before being appointed Archbishop of Maputo, a Diocese he served for the last 20 years before retiring in 2025 upon completion of 75 years of age.
The Catholic Diocese of Xai-Xai was erected on 19 June 1970 as the Diocese of João Belo before changing to its current name on 1st October 1976. The Diocese that measures 75,709 Square Kilometres has 504,000 Catholics out of a population of 1,446,654 representing 34.8 percent, according to 2023 statistics.
May God bless Dom Francisco Chimoio, O.F.M. Cap.