JUBA, OCTOBER 28, 2016 (CISA) – Pope Francis has revealed interest to visit South Sudan in the hope of tackling the critical situation marked by civil war, Archbishop Paolino Lukudu Loro of Juba has said.
The pope met with the delegation of Christian religious leaders from South Sudan October 27, to discuss the crises the youngest African State is facing.
In the meeting, the religious leaders spoke about South Sudan’s war, the killings, the refugees and the prevailing fear, a description of the situation in their homeland and appealed to the Pope to come and visit their homeland.
“The Pope replied by saying he was close to them in their sufferings and repeated twice that he wanted to visit South Sudan,” Archbishop Loro said, Vatican Radio reports.
The delegation in addition to Archbishop Loro, included Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul, Primate of the Episcopal church of Sudan and Rev. Peter Gai, Moderator of the Presbyterian church of Sudan.
According to Catholic Radio Network October 26, Archbishop Loro said, the delegation was responding to an invitation from Holy Father to explain what is going on in South Sudan.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, has seen in recent months the resurgence of a brutal civil war between government troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and opposition forces following former deputy Riek Machar.
Archbishop Loro also added that the country is in dire need of humanitarian assistance and of the attention and care of the international community.
He hopes the Pope and other Christian leaders will help raise awareness of the critical situation facing the people of South Sudan.
All parties reiterated their willingness to journey together and to work with renewed hope and mutual trust.
