South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Remembers Day Pope Francis Kissed his Feet in Heartfelt Tribute

Delegation of South Sudan political leaders at the Vatican with Pope Francis in April 2019 (Photo Credit: aciafrica)

By: *Agnes Aineah

He said that Pope Francis’ visit was “courageous and renewed the hope of South Sudan.”

The visit, President Kiir said, “came at a time when the world had every doubt about our zeal for peace and our determination to chart a course for our country.”

On 3 February 2023, the first day of his peace pilgrimage in South Sudan, Pope Francis begged the leaders of the East-Central African nation to work together to put an end to violence in their country.

“In the name of God, of the God to whom we prayed together in Rome, of the God who is gentle and humble in heart, the God in whom so many people of this beloved country believe, now is the time to say ‘No more of this,’ we say no more, without ‘ifs’ or ‘buts,’” Pope Francis said in his address to President Kiir and the country’s other political leaders in Juba, the capital city of South Sudan.  

“No more bloodshed,” Pope Francis implored, adding, “No more conflicts, no more violence and mutual recriminations about who is responsible for it; no more leaving your people a thirst for peace.”

“No more destruction: It is time to build! Leave the time of war behind and let a time of peace dawn!” he said, and added, “Years of war and conflict seem never to end and, even recently, there have been bitter clashes.”

President Kiir said that Pope Francis would be remembered by the South Sudanese as a beacon of hope, and the epitome of compassion, and unity. “His efforts to promote peace in our country have left an indelible mark in the history of our country,” he said.

The President of South Sudan expressed a firm belief that with Pope Francis’ closeness and prayers, South Sudan would achieve the peace it longs for.

“His Holiness’ prayers and encouragement sustained our determination to continue with implementation of the peace agreement despite the challenges. He did not stop at that; he would always reach out and remind us of the importance of peace whenever we deviated,” President Kiir recalled. 

He added, “South Sudanese across the divide will forever miss the Holy Father and remember His love for South Sudan.”

The South Sudanese President, a Catholic himself, appealed for prayers for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. 

“Fellow Catholic faithful of South Sudan, today we have lost a true and humble servant of God, a man who held South Sudan dear to His heart,” President Kiir said in his April 21 tribute, and added, “May I ask us to pray for His Holiness, for the Lord to receive His soul into eternal peace and to extend our sympathies to the Christians around the world.

*Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.

Source: https://www.aciafrica.org/news/15275/south-sudans-president-salva-kiir-remembers-day-pope-francis-kissed-his-feet-in-heartfelt-tribute