The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin met with South Sudanese President Salva Kirr in the Presidential Palace on Tuesday during which they recalled the 2019 retreat with Pope Francis in the Vatican. The Cardinal subsequently met with First Vice President Riek Machar who reiterated his willingness to implement the peace process in the country.
By Salvatore Cernuzio – Juba
“The only necessary fight is the one for peace and development. It is a battle to be waged all together. Peace and development are two things linked: without peace, there is no development. And the absence of peace is a source of instability and dissatisfaction,” said Cardinal Parolin during his meeting with the South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir.
The tone for the 30-minute meeting on Tuesday was set by the memory of the 2019 retreat at the Vatican attended by the leaders of South Sudan, during which the Pope, in a shocking gesture, kissed their feet.
First official meeting
The meeting took place in the afternoon inside the Presidential Palace and was the first official appointment of the Secretary of State’s trip to Juba. On Wednesday, the Cardinal heads to the camp for displaced persons in Bentiu, in the north of the country.
President Kiir appeared in the meeting room wearing a distinctive black felt hat and a cane. Several times, he repeated “welcome to Juba!” to Cardinal Parolin and his delegation, wishing them peaceful days ahead.
Cardinal Parolin and president Salva Kiir
President Kirr confident in Pope Francis’ visit
During the meeting, the first thoughts naturally went to Pope Francis, his health and his postponed visit to Africa. As in recent days in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Secretary of State reiterated the Pope’s desire to visit, as soon as conditions permit.
“I am confident of the Pope’s visit,” Salva Kiir said, assuring that the country is ready to support this important event, and that all Christians of the different denominations have united to pray for the Pontiff’s speedy recovery.
