After his visit to the DRC, Pope Francis arrived this Friday in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. Together with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the moderator of the Church of Scotland, he began a “ ecumenical pilgrimage for peace in the youngest conflict-ridden country in the world.
With our correspondent in Juba, Florence Miettaux
Welcomed by the songs and ululations of a compact crowd, Pope Francis traveled from Juba International Airport to the Presidential Palace for the first meetings on the program of his visit. Accompanied by Anglican Church leader Justin Welby and Church of Scotland minister Iain Greenshields, he spoke for more than an hour and a half with Salva Kiir and his four vice-presidents.
The South Sudanese president then addressed the representatives of the authorities, the diplomatic corps and civil society gathered in the garden of the presidency. He admitted the delays in the timetable for the peace agreement, while trying to defend the progress made. After becoming independent in 2011, South Sudan descended into civil war in 2013. The peace agreement was signed in 2018, but its implementation is dragging on, and the violence continues.
” Enough bloodshed! »
Pope Francis then spoke, imploring South Sudanese leaders to “ change direction “. ” Enough bloodshed! “, he launched to them, inviting them to commit to “ the tortuous path ” Peace. ” Enough destruction, it’s time to build! he insisted, calling for the fair distribution of wealth of the country, where corruption is rampant. ” Future generations will honor or erase the memory of your names depending on what you do now “, did he declare.
The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland then spoke, both stressing the urgency of implementing the peace accord in full.
The papal visit continues this Saturday, February 4, with a meeting with members of the clergy at Saint-Thérèse Cathedral, another with displaced persons, then an ecumenical prayer at the mausoleum of John Garang.
► Also to listen: Report Africa – South Sudan: the visit of the pope galvanizes a school which advocates the gathering of all ethnic groups