The pontiff is in South Sudan, the second leg of his apostolic journey to Africa. Together with the Anglican primate and the moderator of the Church of Scotland, he is on a pilgrimage of peace to give voice to another people weeping from the ravages of civil war. He warns the authorities that the people of South Sudan “need parents, not masters”. He also mentioned the missionaries who “found death while sowing life”.

Juba (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis arrived this afternoon (local time) in South Sudan, on the second leg of his apostolic journey to Africa, another land torn apart by a heartbreaking civil war.

In his first address in Juba, the capital, the pontiff made a new, strong appeal for an end to the conflicts that are tearing apart today's world. “Leave the time of war behind and let a time of peace dawn,” he said.

His plea is that much stronger since he is joined by the Primate of Church of England, the Most Rev Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Iain Greenshields, for all three days in this new African country, independent since 2011 but sadly torn by violence.

Together, they are pilgrims of peace, on an ecumenical journey in a predominantly Christian country, torn by war, unable to unite, this despite efforts at mediation to which Francis himself has been personally committed in recent years.

"I did not come here alone,” Francis said, “because in peace, as in life, we walk together. We present ourselves to you and to this people in the name of Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace.”

The pope, the archbishop of Canterbury, and the moderator of the Church of Scotland met with the country’s authorities in the garden of the presidential palace, with, in the front row, President Salva Kiir Mayardit (with whom upon arrival Francis had a long talk behind closed doors) and Vice-President Riek Machar, the two main actors of the country’s conflict.

Together, the three religious leaders gave voice to the "cry of an entire people who, with great dignity, weep for the violence they suffer, for the perennial lack of security, for the poverty that strikes them and for the natural disasters that rage.”

“The children of South Sudan need parents," the pope warned, "not masters; stable steps of development, not continuous falls. May the years following the birth of the country, marked by a wounded childhood, give way to peaceful growth.”

“No more”! he said, citing the words Jesus pronounced in Gethsemane before one of his disciples who had drawn his sword (Lk 22:51). For him, there are no “if or buts”: “No more blood spilled, no more conflicts, no more violence or mutual accusations against those who commit them, no more leaving the people thirsty for peace. No more destruction! It's time to build.”

In a clarion call that should echo across every continent, the pope in Juba reiterated the full meaning of the expression res publica, “public affair”, a principle the Republic of South Sudan proclaimed when it became independent in 2011.

“But it is not enough to call oneself a Republic; one must be one, starting from the basics: not reserving the abundant resources with which God has blessed this land to the few, but recognising that they are the prerogative of all, and planning for economic recovery that includes projects for an equitable distribution of wealth.”

Democracy presupposes "respect for human rights, protected by the law and its application, in particular the freedom to express one's ideas. Indeed, we must remember that without justice there is no peace, but also that without freedom there is no justice.”

“The process of peace and reconciliation requires a new start,” and for this to happen, a new page must be turned. This ecumenical pilgrimage, which in today's world "is a rarity, represents a change of pace, an opportunity for South Sudan to begin sailing again in calm waters, re-engaging in dialogue, without duplicity and opportunism.”

Reaching out can transcend "the unhealed memory of wounds, humiliations and wrongs", allowing people “to welcome others as brothers and sisters and giving them room, knowing too, how to take a step back,” focusing on young people and women.

When mentioning the first missionaries who arrived on the Nile, he urged people to turn their thoughts to those who "unfortunately found death while sowing life. Let us not forget them, let us not forget to guarantee them and humanitarian workers the necessary security, and support for their good works, so that the river of goodness can continue to flow.”

Yet, the great river can also flood, causing disasters, which is what happened recently in the region. “Natural disasters are the voices of a wounded and shattered creation,” which “from a source of life can turn into a threat of death. It must be taken care of, with a far-sighted outlook, for future generations. I am thinking, in particular, of the need to combat deforestation caused by greed for profits.”

The fight against corruption is another issue. Unfortunately, it “lacks the necessary resources for what is most needed, starting from the fight against poverty and aid to millions of displaced people who live here.”

Lastly, the flow of weapons should also be stopped. The country “needs many things, but certainly not more  instruments of death.”

"I know that some of what I say may be frank and direct, but please believe that it comes only from affection and concern with which I follow your events, along with the brothers with whom I came here, as a pilgrim of peace.

"We wish to offer our heartfelt prayers and support so that South Sudan can be reconciled and change course, so that its vital course is no longer hindered by the flood of violence, hampered by the swamp of corruption, and frustrated by overflowing poverty.”

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