VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis, in an unprecedented gesture, knelt to kiss the feet of South Sudan’s previously warring leaders on Thursday as he urged them to not return to a civil war.The 82-year-old pope, who suffers from chronic leg pain, stunned the leaders with his gesture as he knelt with difficulty to kiss the shoes of the two main opposing leaders and several other people in the room.He appealed to President Salva Kiir, his former deputy turned rebel leader Riek Machar, and three other vice presidents to respect an armistice they signed and commit to forming a unity government next month.“I am asking you as a brother to stay in peace. I am asking you with my heart, let us go forward. There will be many problems but they will not overcome us. Resolve your problems,” Francis said in improvised remarks.According to some political experts, his appeal was made even more pressing as anxiety grew in South Sudan that Thursday’s coup in neighbouring Sudan might put at risk the fragile peace deal that ended South Sudan’s brutal five-year civil war.The Vatican brought together South Sudanese leaders for 24 hours of prayer and preaching inside the pope’s residence in an attempt to heal bitter divisions before the country is due to set up a unity government.
from The News International - World http://bit.ly/2KAhQKs
Saturday, April 13, 2019
Pope kisses feet of South Sudan leaders for 'peace'
Related Posts:
India fails to persuade China over its unilateral actions in Occupied KashmirChinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday said Beijing was highly concerned over the current situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir and escalating conflict between New Delhi and Islamabad.In meeting with his Indian counterpart… Read More
Iran's Khamenei urges India to adopt 'just policy' towards Muslims in occupied KashmirIran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei Wednesday expressed grave concerns over the situation in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK), calling Modi government to adopt "a just policy" towards the Muslim-majorit… Read More
White House discussions on Afghan peace deal go 'very well': Trump spokesmanWASHINGTON: The White House signaled progress Friday on preparations for a peace deal with the Taliban in Afghanistan, saying that discussions between President Donald Trump and top advisors went "very well."Trump met at his … Read More
Opera´s Domingo faces sexual harassment probe, shows canceledNEW YORK: Opera legend Placido Domingo faced a growing #MeToo storm Tuesday as the Los Angeles Opera opened an investigation into multiple allegations of sexual harassment against him and two other major venues canceled his u… Read More
Violence will push Hong Kong down ´path of no return´: city leaderHONG KONG: Violence during protests in Hong Kong will push the city "down a path of no return," the city´s leader Carrie Lam warned on Tuesday."Violence, no matter if it´s using violence or condoning violence, will push Hong … Read More
0 comments:
Post a Comment