The Archbishop of Juba in South Sudan is mourning the passing of Pope Francis, reflecting on his unique role as the only voice in the international arena that consistently called for peace and dialogue in the troubled nation.
By John Baptiste Tumusiime and Linda Bordoni
For a nation scarred by war and displacement, the news of Pope Francis’ death felt like the loss of a powerful advocate for the voiceless.
In an emotional interview with Vatican News, Cardinal Stephen Ameyu, Archbishop of Juba, expressed the profound sadness of a people who have now lost their strongest advocate on the global stage.
“We were stunned,” the Cardinal recalled, noting how just the day before, Pope Francis had appeared in public to give his customary blessing. “It was a tremendous shock and a huge loss for us – the people of South Sudan have lost their champion.”
Cardinal Ameyu fondly remembered Pope Francis’ unwavering dedication to South Sudan, even amidst his own health struggles.
“As recently as March 30th, he mentioned our issues – he spoke of Sudan and South Sudan,” the Cardinal recounted. “He kept us in the spotlight.”
Pope Francis visited South Sudan from February 3rd to 5th, 2023, in what turned out to be his final visit to the African continent. Despite his frailty, he insisted on embarking on that ecumenical peace mission alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, determined to shed light on the ongoing suffering in the country and join in prayers for peace with the people.
“When we welcomed him at the airport,” Cardinal Ameyu shared, “his spirit was high, he was enthusiastic. He brought life to the people of South Sudan.”
Awaiting Pope Francis’ arrival at Juba airport in 2023 (VATICAN MEDIA Divisione Foto)
The Pope’s visit was a beacon of hope for thousands, especially the displaced and marginalized. During his visit, he met with bishops and religious leaders not only from South Sudan but also from neighboring countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia, who came to stand in solidarity with the nation.
Meeting with displaced persons
However, it was his interaction with displaced persons at Freedom Hall in Juba that left a lasting impact on Cardinal Ameyu.
“He spoke directly to them, he listened to their stories – those who have been displaced since 2013, those who have lost everything to war and natural disasters,” he recounted.
Cardinal Ameyu highlighted that South Sudan not only faces conflict but also climate-related catastrophes.
“We experience various calamities,” he explained, “some are natural, like the floods that have devastated villages in the north. Others are man-made, such as the war that began on December 15, 2013, displacing our people.”
Welcoming Pope Francis in South Sudan (Vatican Media)
An advocate for a forgotten people
Pope Francis, according to the Cardinal, was one of the few global leaders who consistently acknowledged the suffering in South Sudan.
“In a world with many conflicts, there are wars that are forgotten. Our war has been forgotten, but he always spoke about it. That’s why we feel we have lost a great man, our advocate,” he reiterated.
“We thank God for Pope Francis’ life,” Cardinal Ameyu concluded. “But we are also grieving – we have lost the one who saw us, stood with us, and never allowed the world to forget us.”
