Francisco kissed the feet of the leaders of South Sudan | Chronic

The pontiff Francisco He expressed support for the peace process in southern Sudan. He received the leaders of the two opposing groups of the nation, which he summoned to be "peacemakers, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity with all members of our people"Then he kissed their feet and reiterated his desire to visit the African country if the political situation stabilized.

Francisco was found two days in a "Spiritual Retreat"a Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic, and four of the five vice presidents appointed for the Government of National Unity which should begin in May: Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon, James Wani Igga, Taban Deng Gai and Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior.

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"I ask you as a brother, keep the peace, I ask you with all my heart, there will be problems, but do not be afraid, go ahead, solve the problems, you have started a process, it ends well ", he asked them before bowing before them and kissing their feet.

"This is not a joint or regular bilateral or diplomatic meeting between the pope and the heads of state, nor an ecumenical initiative among the representatives of the various Christian communities: it is is a spiritual retreat ", stressed the pontiff to the authorities of the African country, who then made a joint commitment to peace.

South Sudan, designated "the youngest country in the world" After his independence in 2011, a civil war raged since December 2013, when a conflict between Kiir and his dismissed vice president, Machar, sparked the political conflict.

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In September 2018, Kiir, a Catholic, and Machar, a Presbyterian, signed a peace agreement inviting major rival factions to meet, examine and train their forces to unite and transform them into a national army before creation of a government. of unity in May.

After the two days of retirement, Bergoglio told them that "the peace" This is the first gift the Lord has given us and it is also "the first task that the leaders of the nations must perform": "is the fundamental condition for the respect of the rights of every man and for the integral development of all peoples". In addition, he emphasized that Jesus Christ, whom God the Father sent to the world as the Prince of Peace, "He gave us the model to follow".

The pope reminded the leaders of the importance of "his people": "It is a look that expresses the ardent desire for justice, reconciliation and peace", he said. "His people are waiting for his return to his country of origin, the reconciliation of all its members and a new era of peace and prosperity for all"said the pope.

"I will never tire of saying that peace is possible!", Stressed Bergoglio at the end, and wished that all "to know how to accept the highest vocation of peacemakers, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity with each member of our people, a noble, right, firm and courageous spirit in the search for peace through dialogue, negotiation and forgiveness. "

"People are tired and exhausted by the wars of the past: do not forget that with the war, all is lost! Your people today aspire to a better future, which goes through reconciliation and the peace", He claimed the leaders. After giving the speech, Bergoglio prayed with the leaders of the African country and expressed his desire and hope "to be able to go soon to his beloved country".