Pope Francis on Friday proceeded on During a three-day visit to South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, she intends to promote peace and reconciliation in A country torn apart by strife, and still suffering from the effects of Civil war and extreme poverty.
Francis is due to land in Juba at 3:00 pm (1300 GMT). in the first- A papal visit to South Sudan since the Christian-majority country gained its independence from Muslim-majority Sudan in 2011 after decades of conflict.
Peace has eluded South Sudan in the state also, with Fiveyear Civil War left 380,000 people deadfour million displaced, and young A very poor country.
The 86-year-old pontiff is expected to meet the victims of The conflict, as well as the political and ecclesiastical leaders of the country, between prayer and mass in the open air, which is expected to attract a large number of crowds.
The visit – Francis’s fifth to Africa – was initially scheduled for 2022 but it had to be postponed because of problems with Pope’s knee.
and affliction to him made Reliably on Wheelchair witnessed itinerary back in both of them countries.
Will become joined in Southern Sudan by the Archbishop of Canterbury Coordinator of General Assembly of the church of Scotland in What is described as “pilgrimage for Hello.”
Hopes for Hello
The visit had been long expected in Religious country of 12 million where the church is a highly respected institution with for along way history of Peacebuilding.
“I am so excited to see him,” Hana Zakaria, 20, told AFP. one of dozens of Pilgrims who Nine days walked from the city of Rumbek to Juba, excursion of about 400 km (250 miles), in Try to see the pope.
Francis promised in 2019 to travel to South Sudan when he hosted The country’s two warring leaders, President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, at a Vatican retreat and asked to pay their respects. hardCeasefire conflict for they people.
In the echoed scenes in South Sudan, where 60 percent of the people They Christian Argentine knelt down and kissed his feet of Two enemies were charged by his personal armies of Horrific war crimes.
But four years later, South Sudan remains soaked in Intractable conflict and high hopes on Francis to encourage much needed unity in A nation torn apart with ethnic and political division.
“We’ve been through a lot. Now, we are want To make peace, said Robert Michael, a 36-year-old businessman, below one of Many tall billboards in Juba welcomes the Pope.
Friday was announced public holiday. South Sudanese officials encouraged the detour out in Big numbers but they didn’t give an estimate of how Many are expected to attend the pope’s appearances.
ways in The capital has been stormed for The occasion, security officials said Wednesday that an additional 5,000 policemen and soldiers Will be on Streets.
Visit the Landmark Democratic Republic of the Congo
The visit comes after a three-day hiatus in Kinshasa, the capital of Neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo, where a bloody conflict in The mineral-rich East was high on Pope’s agenda.
He was first The time since 1985 that the Pope visited the deeply troubled country – the size of Continental Western Europe – which has the largest Catholic following in Africa.
before boarding his plane on Friday, Pope – who He looked exhausted – he urged the Congolese bishops to focus on the people no just “political activity.”
about 40 percent of Democratic Republic of the Congo over 100 more than 100 million people They are Catholics by estimation, and the Church has a huge influence.
Earlier during his trip, Francis lashed out at “brutal atrocities” after hearing harrowing accounts from eastern Congo, including testimonies from victims. of Sexual violence and mutilation on the hands of militias.
the pope also named for God’s mercy.
May he change hearts of Those who He carries out monstrous atrocities that bring shame upon all humanity, said the pope.
he added that the conflict was motivated by greed for resources on account of innocent victims and denounced “economic colonialism” in troubled region.
Francis also hosted Huge block at Kinshasa airport appealed young Congolese to renounce corruption in a crowded stadium event It was attended by dozens of thousands.
