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Pope Sends Special Christmas Message to South Sudanese Leaders

Sabina Castelfranco

   ROME - In his Christmas message to the city and to the world, Pope
   Francis had special thoughts for people forced to migrate due to
   injustices and for children who are abandoned and suffer violence. The
   pope also sent a special Christmas message to the leaders of South
   Sudan.
   In his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" Christmas blessing and message from
   the central balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica, the pope said his
   thoughts went to the many areas of the world where there is "darkness
   due to economic, geopolitical and ecological conflicts but said the
   light of Christ is greater.
   Pope Francis spoke of the many children suffering from war and
   conflicts in the Middle East and mentioned Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. He
   spoke of the people of Africa, "where persistent social and political
   situations often force individuals to migrate, depriving them of a home
   and family.
   "It is injustice that makes them cross deserts and seas that become
   cemeteries," he said. "It is injustice that forces them to ensure
   unspeakable forms of abuse, enslavement of every kind and torture in
   inhumane detention camps." And the pope added "it is injustice that
   turns them away from places where they might have hope for a dignified
   life, but instead find themselves before walls of indifference."

   Wednesday the pope also sent special wishes for peace and prosperity to
   the leaders of South Sudan. The joint Christmas message with Anglican
   Archbishop Justin Welby and the Reverend John Chalmers, former
   moderator of the Church of Scotland, assured South Sudanese leaders of
   their spiritual closeness as they strive for a swift implementation of
   the peace agreements reached for their country.

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