Catholic Bishops in Sudan, South Sudan Say Logo, Motto of Papal Visit a Call for Peace

The logo depicts a dove carrying an olive branch flying above the outline of South Sudan colored like the country’s flag. The design also includes a cross and two clasped hands.

Bishop Tombe explained that the dove and olive branch over the map of South Sudan indicate the desire of the Holy Father for peace to prevail in the country that gained independence from Sudan in July 2011.

The Local Ordinary of Sudan’s Catholic Diocese of El Obeid said the clasped hands represent the reconciliation of the tribes making up the single nation, while the cross symbolizes South Sudan’s Christian heritage and its suffering.

When realized, the July 2-7 pastoral trip to DRC and South Sudan will mark Pope Francis’ third visit to sub-Saharan Africa, and the third Papal visit to DRC, which is home to Africa's largest Catholic population.

In a March 14 report by Vatican News, officials of the Holy See press office unveiled the logo and motto of Pope Francis’ Apostolic visit to DRC. The motto bears the words, “All reconciled in Jesus Christ.”

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“The journey's logo features symbols of the nation and an image of the Pope giving his blessing,” Vatican News reported about the pastoral visit during which the Holy Father has been scheduled to meet the people of God in the cities of Kinshasa and Goma.

The logo also had, among other symbols, the country’s richness in fauna and flora, the blood shed by the martyrs in that area, and a desire for peace among the Congolese.

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.