Pope Francis has called for an end to the atrocities and humanitarian difficulties facing the people of South Sudan, the new apostolic nuncio to the country has said.
Archbishop Charles Daniel Balvo, who was appointed nuncio on Dec. 21, said Pope Francis has asked South Sudan’s political leaders to resolve their differences through dialogue for the good of the people, and that he prays for peace in South Sudan, the country’s radio network CRN reported Jan. 21
On Christmas Day, the Pope called for “social harmony in South Sudan, where current tensions have already caused numerous victims and are threatening peaceful coexistence in that young state.”
Archbishop Balvo expressed commitment to work with South Sudan’s bishops for the good of the Church of God and expressed his gratitude to the Christians of Juba for warmly welcoming him to the country.
At an extraordinary plenary meeting of the Catholic bishops conferences of Sudan and South Sudan, Archbishop Balvo called on the Church leaders to be witnesses to the Good News even in the most difficult situations.
He said the message of God is a message of hope and love that gives faith, courage and strength and urged the bishops to share this message with joy, to leave aside themselves and offer their hands to make peace. He said God called everybody to be his witness, in spite of one’s origins and conditions.
The new papal representative, a native of Brooklyn, New York, received a warm welcome at a reception on Monday.
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