Pope wants to visit South Sudan next year, urges unity government

Pope Francis attends an audience with the President of South Sudan Salva Kiir at the Vatican, March 16, 2019. PHOTO | VATICAN MEDIA | REUTERS

Pope Francis said on Sunday he wanted to make his postponed visit to South Sudan next year, and he urged the country’s leaders to overcome their divisions and bring an end to the suffering of its people.

Francis spoke of the crisis in the world’s youngest country three days after its president and a former rebel leader agreed to delay forming a unity government for 100 days beyond the November 12 deadline, which itself was an extension of an original deadline last May.