Vatican Secretary of State Urges South Sudan to Embrace Peace through Love

Vatican Secretary of State Urges South Sudan to Embrace Peace through Love

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican, encourages South Sudan to overcome fear and violence by choosing a path of love, building a brighter future for the country.

Cardinal Parolin made the remarks after arriving in Rumbek, the capital of South Sudan’s Lakes State and the country’s former capital, on Thursday morning.

Cardinal Parolin had spent two days in the northern city of Malakal demonstrating the Church’s solidarity with victims of natural and man-made disasters, as well as refugees and internally displaced persons.

The Cardinal expressed his delight at the opportunity to return to South Sudan for the third time in less than a year upon his arrival in Rumbek on Thursday.

He first visited the African country in July 2022, after Pope Francis was forced to postpone his planned Apostolic Journey owing to health issues. On February 3–5, 2023, Cardinal Parolin travelled back to South Sudan with the Pope.

The Cardinal stated that the purpose of his third trip to South Sudan, which he made during a welcome ceremony on Thursday morning, is to support Pope Francis’ call for the peace process to be implemented.

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He added his visit to Rumbek represents an opportunity to share a “moment of faith, of prayer, and of communion in the Church.”

Cardinal Parolin’s Message of Hope

In a significant address, Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, delivered a powerful message of hope and reconciliation to the people of South Sudan. He emphasized that the nation’s journey towards lasting peace can be achieved by replacing fear with love. Cardinal Parolin’s words resonate as a call for unity, understanding, and empathy in the face of longstanding conflicts and divisions. By choosing the path of love and compassion, South Sudan has the opportunity to heal wounds, build bridges, and establish a foundation of harmony that can pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for its citizens.

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Nurturing Peace through Love

Cardinal Pietro Parolin’s words underscore the transformative potential of love in the context of conflict resolution. By advocating for the power of love to drive out fear and hatred, he recognizes the innate human capacity for empathy and compassion. Such sentiments have the potential to resonate deeply with the people of South Sudan, inspiring them to rise above animosities and embrace reconciliation. As the nation strives to overcome its challenges and move towards a peaceful future, Cardinal Parolin’s message serves as a beacon of hope, guiding South Sudan towards a path of unity, healing, and lasting peace.