Senior Vatican official to visit South Sudan

January 31, 2023 (VATICAN) – A top Vatican official is to visit South Sudan from 2-9 Februarym marking a year’s anniversary of Pope Francis’ apostolic journey.

Cardinal Michael Czerny, the prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development is set to travel to the world’s youngest nation, commemorating one year since the Roman Catholic Church head visited Juba.

Czerny, Vatican News reported on Thursday, will travel to Juba, Malakal and Renk.

It further said key events on the itinerary include Cardinal Czerny celebrating the Eucharist in Juba on 4 February and presiding over Mass in Malakal on 8 February, coinciding with the World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking.

Additionally, however, the Cardinal is expected to visit Renk, a town on the Sudanese border, where he will offer blessings to a boat designated for transporting migrants and refugees along the Nile River from Renk to Malakal.

During last year’s visit, the Pope called for peace and unity in the young nation.

Throughout the visit, Pope Francis actively engaged with various groups in South Sudan, including authorities, civil society, displaced persons, and religious leaders.

(ST)