South Sudan mourns the passing of Pope Francis: “A father who walked with us”
President Salva Kiir led the nation in paying tribute to the pontiff, describing him as “a beacon of hope, compassion, and unity” whose spiritual leadership left an indelible mark on the history of S. Sudan.
By Emmanuel Mandella
South Sudan has joined the rest of the global Catholic community in mourning the passing the head of the church, His Holiness Pope Francis, who died peacefully in his residence at the Domus Santa Marta in the Vatican at 7:35 a.m. on Monday, April 21, at the age of 88.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit led the nation in paying tribute to the pontiff, describing him as “a beacon of hope, compassion, and unity” whose spiritual leadership left an indelible mark on the history of South Sudan.
“It goes without saying that South Sudan had a special spot in the heart of His Holiness, Pope Francis. His apostolic visit to South Sudan in February 2023 was courageous and renewed the hope of our people,” President Kiir said in an official condolence message released by his office yesterday.
“Today we have lost a true and humble servant of God, a man who held South Sudan dear to his heart. May I ask us to pray for His Holiness, for the Lord to receive his soul into eternal peace,” the president added, recalling the unforgettable moment in 2019 when Pope Francis knelt and kissed the feet of South Sudanese leaders during a spiritual retreat in Rome, a gesture that stunned the world and marked a turning point in the country’s peace process.
Local clerics pay tribute
Meanwhile, Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio also released a moving pastoral letter on Monday morning after receiving official notification from the Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan, His Grace Séamus Patrick Horgan.
“It is with profound sorrow and heartfelt spiritual solidarity with the universal Church that I announce the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis,” Bishop Kussala wrote.
“Pope Francis was not only a global spiritual leader but a loving father to us in South Sudan. His unceasing prayers for peace, his frequent appeals for reconciliation, and his historic visit to Juba were signs of his immense pastoral love and commitment to our nation.”
The bishop declared a Diocesan period of prayer, reflection, and mourning to be observed across the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, including special Requiem Masses, catechesis on the Pope’s teachings, and acts of charity in his memory.
At St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Juba, bishops and clergy gathered for an emergency memorial Mass, where Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla described Pope Francis as “the Shepherd who smelled like his sheep,” and recalled the Pope’s unwavering dedication to the peripheries of society.
“In South Sudan, he found a wounded people but walked with us. He prayed with us, cried with us, and reminded us never to lose hope in the mercy of God,” said Archbishop Ameyu. “His legacy is not in stone monuments, but in the reconciled hearts and renewed hopes of our people.”
Pope visits South Sudan
Pope Francis will forever be remembered for his February 2023 apostolic visit to Juba, his first to South Sudan where he came not only as the Bishop of Rome but as a pilgrim of peace.
In a powerful message delivered at the John Garang Mausoleum, the Pope urged South Sudanese leaders to set aside personal interests for the sake of national unity.
“No more bloodshed, no more conflict, no more violence and mutual accusations. Leave the time of war behind and let a time of peace dawn,” he declared, addressing thousands of faithful under the scorching sun of Juba.
In Hai Mauna, a suburb of Juba, 26-year-old Mary Mbugo said she still remembers how Pope Francis held her baby during the 2023 Mass. “I cried that day. He blessed my child, and I felt like I was meeting Jesus. Today is a very sad day.”
As the Church enters a period of sede vacante a vacancy of the papal seat South Sudanese Catholics have been called to unite in prayer for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul and for the election of a new Holy Father.
“Let us walk together in the spirit of sodality he taught us. Let us continue the mission of peace, unity, and love that he began with us,” said Bishop Kussala.
From the dusty streets of Yambio to the churches of Juba, South Sudan is mourning not only a pope but a friend a holy father who believed in the promise of its people.
World leaders honour ‘man of the people’
Meanwhile, as the world grappled with the death of a cleric many described as ‘a man of the people’, world leaders shared their condolences, from Italy to Argentina, the United States to the European Union, Russia to India, France to Brazil and Mexico to South Africa, among other nations, the voices were very clear, that the world had lost a compassionate, empathetic and caring servant of the Lord.
“I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice, his teachings, which never ceased, not even during times of trial and suffering. We say goodbye to the holy father with a heart full of sadness,” mourned the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, as her country’s football authorities postponed matches scheduled for Monday.
The White House (United States) shared a tribute on social media, writing “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis” alongside a photo of the pope meeting President Donald Trump and the first lady.
“Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope,” said Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
In Argentina, where the Pope hailed from, the President Javier Milei, who previously clashed with the pope, warmed embraced the Pope, praising his focus on interreligious dialogue, encouragement of spirituality among the young, and focus on cost-cutting in the Vatican.
“Catholics and people of all faiths are saddened today by the passing of a spiritual leader who sought to unite humanity,” stated South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa.
Meanwhile, as the final burial rites of Pope Francis- who Vatican said died of stroke, prompted by irreversible heart failure- kicks in, a college of cardinals, comprised of senior Catholic clergy, will soon embark on the rigorous task of electing the next Pope; to lead the catholic church, one of the oldest and largest religious institutions with up to 1.39 billion followers.
