Pope Francis’ ended his peace mission to South Sudan

• In Juba, Pope Francis celebrated an outdoor service that was attended by tens of thousands.
• He exhorted the audience to reject the “poison of hatred” and urged them to seize every chance to promote peace.
• It is estimated that over 400,000 people have perished as a result of the conflict.

In Juba, Pope Francis celebrated an outdoor service that was attended by tens of thousands as he concluded his peace pilgrimage to South Sudan.

He exhorted the audience to reject the “poison of hatred” and urged them to seize every chance to promote peace.

And he begged the nation’s leaders to concentrate on resolving the crisis.

“Dear brothers and sisters, I return to Rome with you even closer to my heart,” he addressed the throng before leaving.

Excited Catholics told Reuters it was a happy occasion, some of whom camped out overnight for the Mass. Jovana Buyom stated, “I was extremely excited. I haven’t slept yet.

“We are really very happy with the coming of Pope because he will give us the message of peace, we can unite as South Sudanese people,” Juaj Bol Ayuel said.

An estimated 70,000 people watched the Mass at the John Garang Mausoleum, which was crowded with joyful worshippers waving flags and kneeling in prayer.

The Pope’s first trip to South Sudan coincided with the religious ceremony, which took place on the final day of his stay.

After the president and his then vice president had a falling out in 2013, the country, which gained independence in 2011, has been torn apart by civil conflict ever since.

Despite a peace agreement signed in 2018, ethnically motivated violence has persisted. It is estimated that over 400,000 people have perished as a result of the conflict.

On the eve of the religious leaders’ visit, a cattle raid claimed the lives of at least 20 individuals.

The Pope appealed to South Sudanese clergy to speak out against injustice on Saturday while on a peace mission with other Christian leaders including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rev. Iain Greenshields.

He also warned them against remaining impartial in the face of injustice “We cannot stay apathetic in the face of the suffering brought on by acts of injustice and violence if we wish to be pastors who intercede. It is an offence against Christ to violate a woman’s or men fundamental rights.”

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