Juba, 17 June, 2022 / 3:28 pm (ACI Africa).
A campaign dubbed “Remember Pope Francis' Kiss for Peace” that was launched in South Sudan is to continue despite the postponement of the previously scheduled ecumenical visit that the Holy Father was to undertake alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Jim Wallace.
In a Monday, June 13 report, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), the entity spearheading the campaign, says, “Since communication on the postponement indicates that the interest of the global spiritual leaders will visit South Sudan at a later date to be determined, we will continue with the campaign.”
Edmund Yakani adds in reference to the news of the postponement of the ecumenical visit to South Sudan, “This message made our hopes still alive since in the future we will be expecting the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis and other spiritual leaders.”
Officially launched on April 10 by CEPO, “remember Pope Francis' Kiss for Peace” campaign aims at challenging political leaders in South Sudan to foster “peace and stability”, according to CEPO Executive Director.
The campaign seeks to recall the 11 April 2019 dramatic gesture when Pope Francis knelt and kissed the feet of President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar among others.
