Pope Francis has announced that he will visit South Sudan next year, a country for which he has a "special affection". It is hoped the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby might also take part in the same visit.
Speaking after the Angelus yesterday, Pope Francis began by announcing the visit to the world's youngest state.
Then he continued: "With the still vivid memory of the spiritual retreat for the authorities of the country, held in the Vatican last April, I wish to renew my invitation to all the actors of the national political process to seek what unites and to overcome what it divides, in a spirit of true brotherhood.
"The South Sudanese people have suffered too much in recent years and await with great hope a better future, especially the definitive end of conflicts and lasting peace. I therefore urge those responsible to continue, without tiring, their commitment to an inclusive dialogue in the search for consensus for the good of the nation. I also express the hope that the international community will not neglect to accompany South Sudan on the path of national reconciliation. I invite you all to pray together for this country, for which I have a special affection."
Earlier this year, Pope Francis led a dramatic gesture of reconciliation at a meeting in Rome with the warring leaders.
After the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, his former vice-president Riek Machar and others of the country's leaders listened to Pope Francis appealed for them to persevere with their fragile peace agreement and “remain in peace”, the Pope stood up, walked over to them, knelt down and kissed both of their feet.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, who was also was at the meeting, said afterwards: "We have heard the prophetic call of Christ. We now commission you as ambassadors of peace.” It was Archbishop Justin Welby's idea to hold the the two-day spiritual retreat. No date next year has been fixed as yet for the visit. The Tablet understands that the Archbishop of Canterbury is in regular communication with Pope Francis about the peace process and conditions in-country, to discern the best time for them both to visit the people of South Sudan.
South Sudan gained indendence in 2011 and civil war broke out just two years later, leading to the slaughter of as many as 400,000 people and the displacement of more than 4 million.
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar have agreed to delay the forming of a power-sharing government for another 100 days. It is the second time the deadline has been pushed back – leading to growing concerns among some citizens' groups. Kiir and Machar signed a peace agreement last September that requires all parties, including rebel groups, to become part of a unity government that was expected to be formed on Tuesday, November 12.
Meanwhile the bishops of Sudan and South Sudan have undertaken to prioritise stopping abuse of children. “We consider the protection of minors a priority and we are committed to working for the prevention of all forms of abuse, atrocities and violence against children”, said Bishop Edward Hiiboro Kussala of Tombura-Yambio and President of the Bishops’ Conference of Sudan, speaking last week at a seminar in Juba, South Sudan, on protection of minors.
In the Angelus itself, Pope Francis spoke about Jesus' words that life belongs to God, "who loves us and cares so much about us, to the point of linking his name to ours: he is 'the God of Abraham, God of Isaac and God of Jacob. God is not of the dead, but of the living; because everyone lives for him.' Life subsists where there is a bond, communion, brotherhood. And it is a life stronger than death when it is built on true relationships and bonds of fidelity. On the contrary, there is no life where one claims to belong only to oneself and to live as islands: in these attitudes death prevails. It is selfishness. If I live for myself, I am sowing death in my heart."
A spokesman for the Archbishop of Canterbury said: "Archbishop Justin joins the Holy Father in praying for all South Sudanese people, for unity among their political leaders and for lasting peace, in the spirit of the retreat they hosted together last April.”
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