In an interview with Vatican Media, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin shares his hopes that the upcoming Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan will help promote an end to the violence that hurts both nations, saying that the Pope’s presence “could mark a turning point in the often tragic events in these countries.”
by Massimiliano Menichetti
Two African nations await Pope Francis who wants to undertake this Apostolic Journey and create the conditions for the meeting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in South Sudan, both countries afflicted by conflict and exploitation.
This 40th Apostolic Visit abroad will see the Pope on African soil from January 31 to February 5, bringing the Word of God, the hope of peace and dialogue. In South Sudan, the visit will have a strong ecumenical connotation, as the Successor of Peter will be joined by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Iain Greenshields.
It will be “an ecumenism of testimony”, reiterates the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, specifying that this visit is carried out to show closeness to the Churches and local communities, which are “alive and active”, and to promote a “sociopolitical” awareness of the hope of reconciliation; two realities, which for different reasons, are impacted by the drama of the millions of refugees, the guerrilla war, ethnic and political tensions.
Q: Your Eminence, the Pope is preparing to leave for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. A highly desired visit, which he postponed in July of last year due to knee pain. What is the main wish of Pope Francis?
As in every apostolic journey, the Holy Father wishes above all to be close, to meet the Church and the local population. I would say that on this visit this desire is particularly intense because it is a long-awaited trip that the Pope had to postpone due to his knee problem, and because these are two countries that are in a particularly difficult situation due to the conflicts that are taking place: for this reason the Pope goes as a shepherd to meet the people of God, and at the same time as a pilgrim of peace and reconciliation.
Q: Two countries with extraordinary resources but crushed by endless conflict and violence: what is the meaning of this trip?
I would say that it has two aspects: there is a pastoral aspect, of closeness to the local Churches and to these communities that are living, active communities, and then there is the sociopolitical aspect, and from this point of view, the presence of the Holy Father is expected , your word, your testimony, can help promote the cessation of the ongoing violence and strengthen the ongoing peace and reconciliation processes.
Q: Your first port of call will be the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where you will also meet with victims from the east of the country. Can this visit help heal the wounds in people’s hearts?
We hope so because they really are very deep wounds. It is a protracted situation: violence, contrasts and conflict. So the fact that the Pope is meeting the victims of this situation is a very significant gesture that will undoubtedly console them. I believe that the first aspect and dimension of this meeting is to comfort and console these populations that have suffered, with deaths, refugees… The other aspect is always to encourage them not to lose faith, hope, not to give in to revenge, so as not to increase the divisions that exist, to have peace as a goal. Therefore, communion and fraternity are the purpose for which the Pope meets these victims.
Q: From the Congo, the Holy Father will travel to South Sudan. In 2019 – we remember – he kissed the feet of the leaders of South Sudan to implore peace. What role can religion play in stabilizing the country?
The Christian Churches -as I have also been able to verify- work at the service of the entire population, where many times not even the State and sometimes international organizations can reach. Therefore, they enjoy trust and authority among the population and this has allowed them to play an important role in the complex international dialogue.
When I was in South Sudan, the President himself reminded me of the Pope’s gesture which, he said, touched him deeply and deeply moved him: we could say that it was a prophetic gesture. And it is a gesture that requires commitment: I believe that it truly commits the authorities to take concrete steps on the road to peace. We hope that this trip gives continuity to that very special moment and encourages you to make concrete choices, to make very practical decisions so that the peace process reaches its goal.
QUESTION: The Pope will visit South Sudan together with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. So it is also a journey with a strong ecumenical value…
Yes. This presence of the three religious leaders – the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland – is a very significant expression of ecumenism, in fact, an ecumenism – I would call it – of witness . Meanwhile, the very fact that the three go together is a sign that it is possible to find paths of communion even beyond or through differences. And then, this common commitment on the part of the religious groups present in the country to be witnesses of the Gospel, to be promoters of peace. So, it will be a presence and it will be a very significant journey precisely because it will be for three voices.
Q: So there is a lot of expectation for the presence of the Pope in these African countries. You yourself, as you reminded us, have recently visited the places that Pope Francis will see, where hope and poverty, drama and future are mixed. How can this scenario be changed?
It is a slow change that requires commitment, the convergence of everyone’s efforts. Each country should try to establish policies truly based on justice and peace. And then, the international community must work together with the political leaders of each country: supporting the nations in these delicate circumstances, accompanying them towards the full achievement of their social, economic and institutional development. And in this context there is also the role of the Churches, as I said before, especially in the fields of charity, education and health.
Q: What is your personal wish for these towns that you have known and visited, and more generally for Africa?
I am very happy to be able to accompany the Pope on this visit, also because in July I undertook the same trip to tell people not to be discouraged, that the Pope would come, even if he had to cancel his trip on that occasion. The people understood this message and are now full of joy to receive the Pope and be with him.
I think the hope is that this meeting with the Pope and then, in South Sudan, also with the other religious leaders, can mark a turning point in the often tragic events in these countries, and can sustain the goodwill of all. : I think a renewed commitment from everyone is really needed.
If this commitment exists, it will be possible for the countries to get out of the current conflict situations, it will be possible to ensure the fair development of the entire population and guide these countries towards a better future.
