Pope Francis concluded his visit to South Sudan, appealing for an end to the rampant violence tearing the country apart, labeling it as "blind fury."
Pope Francis concluded a historic peace mission in South Sudan on February 5, 2023, marking the culmination of a journey that brought spiritual and moral support to a nation grappling with political, security, and economic challenges.
During his visit, the Pope presided at an open-air Mass on the grounds of a mausoleum for South Sudan's liberation hero John Garang, attended by an estimated 70,000 people. His homily focused on themes of reconciliation and mutual forgiveness, appealing for an end to tribalism, financial wrongdoing, political cronyism, corruption, and injustice in South Sudan.
The pilgrimage of peace was the first joint foreign visit in Christian history by leaders of the Catholic, Anglican, and Reformed traditions. The late Pope’s appeals for peace resonate strongly among South Sudanese bishops, who embody his vision by calling for reconciliation, justice, and renewed commitment to peace amid ongoing turmoil.
South Sudan, with some of the largest crude oil reserves in sub-Saharan Africa, remains mired in political tensions, including ongoing security challenges following the 2013 conflict and a shaky peace agreement signed in 2018. Conflict-related violence persists in many regions, undermining peacebuilding efforts on the ground. The fragile economy and lack of equitable growth exacerbate discontent, making sustained peace efforts difficult without addressing socio-economic drivers of conflict.
Despite these challenges, the Church's ongoing commitment and active engagement of local communities offer cautious hope for a future that honours the Pope's legacy of peace and justice. The Apostolic Nuncio and Church leaders emphasize the need for faithful action—transforming Pope Francis’ vision into active daily commitments, including dialogue, integrity, and hope.
Peace building increasingly includes "quiet heroes" such as faith communities, women, youth, and elders who are pivotal in grassroots reconciliation efforts. Success depends on ensuring that international support aligns with local realities and fosters political will to implement peace agreements effectively.
The Catholic Bishops convened in July 2025 hope to build on the late Pope’s legacy under the leadership of his successor, Pope Leo XIV, signalling continuity in advocacy for South Sudan’s peace and justice. In his farewell address, Pope Francis thanked the people of South Sudan for their affection, expressing his hope that their journey towards peace would continue.
Jesilen Gaba, a 44-year-old South Sudanese widow with four children, believes the joint visit of the three Churches is a turning point for peace in South Sudan. Ferida Modon, a 72-year-old South Sudanese woman who lost three children to conflict, attended the Mass in Juba, finding solace in the Pope's message of hope and reconciliation.
The South Sudanese government dismissed a U.N. report in 2021 that accused its leaders of diverting "staggering amounts of money and other wealth" from public coffers and resources. Two years after South Sudan's independence, a civil war broke out, killing 400,000 people. Despite a 2018 peace deal, bouts of fighting have continued to kill and displace large numbers of civilians.
In conclusion, while Pope Francis’ peace mission has galvanized important spiritual and moral support, the path to a lasting peace in South Sudan remains fraught with political, security, and economic challenges. However, the Church’s ongoing commitment and active engagement of local communities offer cautious hope for a future that honours his legacy of peace and justice.
The Pope's visit to South Sudan, focusing on themes of reconciliation and mutual forgiveness, underscores the need for an end to political cronyism, corruption, and injustice in general-news, aligning with his homily during the Mass.
The Church's active engagement of local communities, such as faith communities, women, youth, and elders, is pivotal in peace building efforts, offering cautious hope for a future that honors the Pope's legacy of peace and justice, even amidst ongoing political, security, and economic challenges in the country's politics.
