Youths in South Sudanese Catholic Diocese “anxiously excited” about Jubilee in Rome as Most Africans Face Hurdles

Possible pilgrims to the Jubilee of Youth in Rome from the Catholic Diocese of Rumbek/South Sudan. Credit: Sr. Orla Treacy/Loreto Sisters/Rumbek

South Sudan has limited Diplomatic presence, and the young Catholics seeking visas to Italy had to travel to the neighboring country for their travel documents. Undoubtedly, they first had to secure visas to enter Ethiopia itself.

Their struggle is an example of the numerous hurdles that many Africans must overcome to travel to Rome as pilgrims.

Organizers of the event in Rome have said that compared to other continents, participation from Africa may be “delicate” owing to a number of challenges.

The Director of youth ministry in Rome, Fr. Alfredo Tedesco, told ACI Prensa, ACI Africa’s sister news service, that there would be African representation in the Jubilee celebrations, “but not as numerous.”

“Some countries haven’t been able to send delegations due to visa or diplomatic issues or armed conflicts. There will be African representation, but not as numerous. The Dicastery and the Holy See have made arrangements to facilitate some visas,” Fr. Alfredo said

He however promised that the experience of those participating would be unforgettable, saying, “Young people will never experience this in their lives again. I’m sure of it. In practice, it will be like a World Youth Day.”

In the interview with ACI Africa, Sr. Orla spoke about the enthusiasm among young people in the Diocese of Rumbek who she said have already participated in a locally organized pilgrimage ahead of the upcoming event in Rome.

According to the Irish member of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM), popularly known as Loreto Sisters, the late Pope Francis’ Ecumenical visit to South Sudan in 2023 ignited the interest for spiritual activities such as pilgrimages among youths in the country.

“Pope Francis’ visit in 2023 has sparked a lot of interest in pilgrimage and spirituality among our youth. To date we have completed three pilgrimages around the Diocese and are currently planning the fourth for January (2026),” Sr. Orla, the Director of the Loreto Mission in the Diocese of Rumbek told ACI Africa.

The Loreto Sister, who coordinated the nine-day “walking for peace” pilgrimage that Rumbek Diocese organized to meet Pope Francis on his February 2023 visit said that among a set of other activities, youths in the Diocese have been participating in two five-day retreats each year.

The young people, she added, are also given the opportunity to facilitate the Way of the Cross every Good Friday.

“There is a growing sense among the youth of the wider Church, and they are eager to participate,” Sr. Orla said, and added, “In January this year we had our own pilgrimage of hope for the Jubilee Year and there was a desire to share in the wider Church’s celebration.”

Sr. Orla also told ACI Africa that she would be accompanying two youth leaders, a Priest who works closely with the youths, and two members of the Loreto staff for the pilgrimage to Rome.

Highlighting the challenge of high travel costs that she said had barred many youths from travelling, she said, “We could only choose two of the youth leaders to go to Rome and that is always hard.”

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“Costs are high, and the visa process is a challenge. We have been grateful for the help of our Nuncio (Archbishop Séamus Patrick Horgan), who has been following the process and supporting us, ensuring we get our interviews,” Sr. Orla said, and added, “Currently the group are in Addis Ababa awaiting confirmation of the visa. This can take up to two weeks.”

The Loreto Sister said that her Congregation and its partners had been generous in supporting those going to Rome. “Of course, we would love to bring a bigger group but it is costly,” she noted.

Sr. Orla said that part of the preparation for the Jubilee of Youth in Rome had been a 2025 Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage of Hope.

She recalled, “This was a powerful experience with 130 youth adults and 10 Religious and Priests from the Diocese. In May we were able to follow up with the youth and have a five-day retreat reflecting on the experience of pilgrimage, hope and prayer.”

According to the official Jubilee of Youth website, several key activities have been confirmed. On Tuesday, July 29, at 6:00 p.m. (local time), a welcome Holy Mass is to be celebrated in St. Peter's Square.

In the following days, Rome will host numerous cultural, artistic and spiritual initiatives that are distributed throughout the capital city of Italy, under the title "Dialogues with the City".

Friday, August 1 has been reserved as a Penitential Day, to be celebrated in the Circus Maximus, where pilgrims are to be able to receive the Sacrament of Penance.

On Saturday, August 2, pilgrims are to move to Tor Vergata. And finally, on Sunday, August 3, Pope Leo XIV is to preside over Holy Mass at 9:30 a.m., before bidding farewell to the young pilgrims who are to return to their respective countries.