5-FEB.-2023

EDITED BY| PAUL MITCHEL

JUBA, South Sudan (AP)

 

            ON HIS VIST TO SOUTH SUDAN, Pope Francis  STRESSED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPECTING RIGHTS OF WOMEN.

The warned Saturday that South Sudan’s future depends on how it treats its women, as he highlighted their horrific plight in a country where sexual violence is rampant, child brides are common and the maternal mortality rate is the highest in the world.

On his second and penultimate day in Africa, Francis called for women and girls to be respected, protected, and honored during a meeting in the South Sudanese capital Juba with some of the 2 million people who have been forced by fighting and flooding to flee their homes. Women, girls, and children make up the majority of those displaced.

The encounter was one of the highlights of Francis’ three-day visit to the world’s youngest country and one of its poorest. Joined by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and the Presbyterian head of the Church of Scotland, Francis is on a historic ecumenical pilgrimage to draw global attention to the country’s plight and encourage its stalled peace process.