Juba, 28 November, 2024 / 8:15 pm (ACI Africa).
The Apostolic Nuncio in South Sudan has assured the people of God in the east-central African country of the closeness of Pope Francis who has acknowledged the struggles that the country, which experienced a devastating civil war, is facing. The Holy Father’s message was also meant for neighboring Sudan that is experiencing war.
Speaking on Sunday, November 24, at the culmination of the year-long Eucharistic Congress and the Golden Jubilee of the Catholic hierarchy in Sudan and South Sudan, Archbishop Séamus Patrick Horgan conveyed the Holy Father’s prayers and solidarity with the faithful in both countries.
“I join you as the Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan and therefore the personal representative of Pope Francis,” Archbishop Horgan said at the event that was held at the Juba National Stadium, the Apostolic Nuncio in South Sudan. He added, “I greet each of you in his name and assure you of his closeness to you.”
Archbishop Séamus Patrick Horgan. Credit: Ginaba Lino Michael/South Sudan/Juba
Archbishop Horgan highlighted the Pope’s prayers for the Archdiocese of Khartoum and the Diocese of El Obeid in Sudan, acknowledging their struggles amid the ongoing civil wars that broke out on 15 April 2023 involving the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and army units of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).