JUBA, FEBRUARY 5th 2023 (SUDANS POST) – Pope Francis on Saturday urged Internally Displaced Persons to open new chapters of forgiveness and reconciliation.
While addressing IDPS from the protection of civilian sites from Juba, Bentiu, Malakal, and Bor at Freedom Hall on Saturday, Pope called IDPS to begin a new chapter of joyful evangelization.
“In South Sudan, young people grow up benefitting from the stories of the elderly and, although the chapter of recent years has been one of violence, it is possible, and indeed necessary, to launch a new chapter, starting with yourselves,” said Pope.
The first Pope to be a member of the Society of Jesus said the news shouldn’t focus only on reports of tragedy but on the ardent desire for peace.
“A new chapter of encounter, which does not forget past sufferings, but radiates the joyful light of fraternity; a chapter that does not focus only on reports of tragedy, but on the ardent desire for peace,” he said.
The 86-year-old pontiff urged victims of conflict to rewrite the history of peace in the war-torn country.
“May you, young people of different ethnicities, write the first pages of this new chapter! Although conflict, violence, and hatred have replaced good memories on the first pages of the life of this Republic, you must be the ones to rewrite its history as a history of peace.”
He hailed IDPs for their strength and perseverance, as well doing what it take to please God during their hard times.
“In addition, I would like to address a word of gratitude to all those who help you, often in conditions of hardship, but also in emergency situations.”
“You, from all your different ethnic groups, you who have suffered and are still suffering, you who do not want to respond to evil with more evil,” he said.