Shocking Pope's gesture to stir up contenders for Sudan's civil war

Thursday 11th April 2019 19:56

At 82 years old and with a delicate health – but that never prevented him from performing his task – Pope Francis did not hesitate: with difficulty, with the agitated breathing and l & # 39; With the help of his badistants, he knelt in front of his guests at the Vatican and kissed his feet, to the surprise of those present in the room, who looked incredulous at the scene.

Francisco ended Thursday morning the spiritual retreat that took place in Santa Marta so that the leaders of the main parts of South Sudan stop fighting and pledge to form a government. from unity next month.

"I ask you as a brother to keep you in peace, I ask you with all my heart, let's move on, there will be a lot of problems but they will not go beyond us." Resolved, said the pontiff in front of President Salva Kiir, former deputy turned rebel leader Riek Machar and three other vice presidents, according to the Catholic news agency. The purpose of the meeting was to respect the signed armistice and to commit to forming a unity government next month.

The Vatican has reunited the leaders of Southern Sudan for two days of prayer inside the Pope's residence in an ultimate attempt to bring the warring parties closer together, one month before the establishment of a government-led government. By the nation torn apart by war.

The pope's words come from elsewhere when one learns that a military coup overthrew the dictator of neighboring Sudan, Omar al Bashir, after three decades in power, which could condition the fragile deal. of peace that has ended. the brutal civil war that they have lived for five years in Southern Sudan.

Pope Francis closed the spiritual retreat at the Vatican, attended by the civil and ecclesiastical authorities of Southern Sudan, to whom he insisted: "I will not tire of saying that peace is possible." In addition, he badured that he expects to visit this country soon.

In his final speech in Santa Marta, Francisco said: "I ask you as a brother, stay in peace, I ask with all my heart, we go ahead, there will be so many problems, but do not be afraid, go ahead, solve the problems, you have started a process that ends well. "

"We Christians believe and know that peace is possible because Christ rose and conquered evil with good, badured his followers the victory of peace over the accomplices of war who are pride, greed, desire for power, selfish interest, lies and hypocrisy, "he said.

"I sincerely hope that hostilities will cease … that political and ethnic divisions will be overcome and that peace will be lasting, for the common good of all citizens who dream of starting to build the nation," said the pope before concluding invocation to the Holy Spirit so that "the enemies open to the dialogue, the adversaries shake hands and the people find themselves in agreement".

Participants received a Bible signed by the Holy Father, Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, Father John Chalmers, with the message "Find what unites, overcome what divides".

Separated in 2011 from Sudan, South Sudan is the "youngest" country in the world. Since December 2013, he was plunged into a bloody civil war. In 2018, an agreement was signed to impose a unified government, formed on both sides in struggle, which will come into force on May 12, 2019.

The agreement was signed by South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and former rebel leader Riek Machar. One of the most important requirements of the treaty, the integration of the armed forces, has not yet been fulfilled. The war generated a serious humanitarian crisis.

Source: https://www.infobae.com/america/mundo/2019/04/11/el-impactante-gesto-del-papa-francisco-para-conmover-a-los-contendientes-de-la-guerra-civil- in-sudan-del-sur /

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