PAPAL VISIT SOUTH SUDAN: Christians describe Papal Visit as the presence of Jesus in Healing Hearts
Pope Francis greetings a section of participants during the meeting with IDPs
Ginaba Lino
Believers have described the coming of His Holiness Pope Francis as the presence of Jesus who have come to recover the wounds and the difficulties South Sudan has been going through.
Speaking to some Christians who came from different dioceses to welcome Pope Francis said, they believe this time peace will come to South Sudan because His Holy Father have stepped the land with blessings.
Sr Jecinter Habiba, a nun of the Congregation of our Lady of Peace under the diocese of Tombura Yambio said she hopes that with the coming of Holy Father will reduce the question of conflict across the country and give peace to people of South Sudan
“For me, the coming of the Pope is the presence of Jesus coming to visit us in our difficult country which has been going through wars and having a lot conflict in every part of the country.”
“So I’m hoping that the coming of the Pope will reduce maybe this question of conflict everywhere then we shall begin to enjoy this is my greatest expectation.”
Sister Habiba added that the coming of Pope Francis was not just a Pope, but it was a real Jesus came to their midst.
“It was not just simply a Pope who came, but it was the Vicar of Christ in reality who came to amidst us and the welcoming was like time Jesus was welcomed when he went to the temple with palm trees and put their clothes down for him to move on.”
Elias Ginana Magbondo, one of the Christians from Catholic Diocese of Tombura Yambio said the coming of Pope was telling South Sudanese how important they in front of God.
Ginana added that the people of South Sudan should change their hearts from wrong doing that brings conflict amidst the people of South Sudan.
“It has been a pleasure for us more especial the people of South Sudan. The coming or the visit of Pope to South Sudan is just telling us the South Sudanese how important we are in front of God. The love of God is just anywhere, for every South Sudanese.”
“So what we can do this time is to pray for ourselves, pray for our Country, and change our hearts from what we use to do which are not good. It’s not the time to point finger to others, or continue to blame.”
We have to change our hearts and learn from the mistakes that we have done has the Holy Father stepped on our land, “Ginana stated.”
Lino Makarious Duany a Christian from Upper Nile state from the Diocese of Malakal said he is so happy that the Holy Father have visit the Country and pray together with the leaders and the people of South Sudan on the difficulties they are facing.
Makarious stated that leaders should understand the importance of human being and he hopes Pope Francis have talked to them to change their minds and work for the people of South Sudan.
“Our leaders should understand the importance of human being, this is what we really need. They should change their minds, change their hearts and work for the people of South Sudan. Hope the Holy Father have also talked to them so that we have better life in future.”
He stressed that the leaders should listen to the voice of Holy Father Pope Francis and bring total peace to end the suffering of South Sudanese.
Bakhita Stephen from Unity State said she hope after the visit of Pope Francis to South Sudan, there will be a genuine peace and enhance development of the Country.
“After this Papal visit to our Country South Sudan, I hope the genuine peace will so enhance development in South Sudan.”
South Sudan has gone through a lot of conflict and it’s time to accept peace, “Bachata urged to do so.”
Pope Francis who started his journey on 31 of January to the Democratic Republic of Congo ended on 05 February in Juba, South Sudan with Holy Mass at John Garang Mausoleums
