PAPAL VISIT SOUTH SUDAN: You Are the Seeds of a New South Sudan, Says Pope Francis to Youth
Internally displaced Persons during their meeting with Pope Francis in Juba
Fr. Isaac Ojok
The Holy Father Pope Francis has implored the youth in South Sudan to remain hopeful in the quest for the return of peace in the country.
While meeting the victims of civil war in the country on 4th February 2023, Pope Francis revealed that even though plunged in the situation of hardships and uncertainties, it is possible that true peace can return to their own country.
The Holy Father said looking at the war victims, he sees brightness, hope in their eyes, strength to pray and sing, empty hands but hearts full of faith and yet they bear the burdens of painful path but they do not stop dreaming of a better future.
He said it is timely for the young people of different ethnicities to focus on the growth, development of the future of their nation although at the moment there blurring vision brought about by violence, conflict and hatred saying this should not be the reason for the youth to sit back.
“You will be the trees that have absolved the pollution of violence, restore the oxygen of fraternity and right now you are planted where you do not want to be, but precisely from this situation of hardships and uncertainties, you can reach out to those around you with the experience that you are all in one human family,” the Pope said.
According to Pope Francis, the youth of South Sudan must start anew and realize that they are brothers and sisters, children on earth and of God in Heaven and father of us all.
The Holy Father observed, there is no future without past, because in South Sudan, young people grew up benefitting from the stories of the elderly and although the chapters in the recent years have been one of the violence and that it is possible and in deed necessary to launch a new chapter especially a chapter of encounter which does not forget the past sufferings but radiates joyful life of fraternity, a chapter that does not only focus on reports of tragedy but on urgent desire for peace.
He thanked the youth for their inner strength, faith and perseverance and all the good things they do which are pleasing to God and which enriches their lives daily.
The Pope mentioned his closeness to the many South Sudanese refugees living outside the country who cannot return because their territories have been occupied, saying they can still take up active roles in shaping the future of their land, contribute in the development, and reconstructing the country in peaceful manner.
He commended the contribution of the aid workers in South Sudan, giving life support to the people especially women and children saying they must not be the target of violence, intimidation of any form.
In a special way the Pontiff said he was grateful to all those giving support to children, especially the ecclesial community, humanitarian aid workers, the United Nations and the Missionaries.
“In addition, I would like to address the word of gratitude to all those who help you in condition of hardships but also in emergency situations. I thank the ecclesial community for their efforts which deserves to be supported, missionaries, humanitarian and international organizations in particular the United Nations, for the important work they do, to be sure, a country cannot survive on external means of support especially if it possesses a territory with every resources. At the present time however, those means of support are badly needed”, the Pope said.
He honored the humanitarian workers who have lost their lives and to plead for respect for those who offer help and structures that assists the population, saying they should not become target of assaults and vandalism.
Further in his address, it is important to accompany the population on the path of development to help them learn more ideas in the areas of agriculture, livestock management to facilitate a more independent growth.
“I plead with everyone from the heart, let us help South Sudan, let us not abandon its population, many have suffered and they continue to suffer so greatly”, the Pope pleaded.
The Holy Father concluded his address and jointly bestowed special blessings upon the children of South Sudan for the better future of all young people.
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