Pope Francis calls for reconciliation in South Sudan and DR Congo

By Our Correspondent, VATICAN CITY

The Roman Catholic Church head, Pope Francis, has urged the people and leaders of South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to work for reconciliation, peace and prosperity.

The Pope’s message was contained in a video message issued on the day he had planned to begin a week-long pilgrimage to the two countries.

The trip failed due to a knee pain that made walking and standing difficult.

The Catholic Church head, in the message, said he was “greatly disappointed” by the turn of events, promising to visit “as soon as possible.”

He urged the people of both countries not to allow themselves to be robbed of hope due to violence, political instability, exploitation and poverty.

"You have a great mission, all of you, beginning with your political leaders: It is that of turning a page in order to blaze new trails, new paths of reconciliation and forgiveness, of serene coexistence and of development,” reads the Pope’s message.

Francis said political leaders owed the pursuit of such goals to young people who dream of peace “and deserve to see those dreams come true”

"For their sake, above all, it is necessary to lay down arms, to overcome all resentment, and to write new pages of fraternity,” he stressed.

The Pope, however, sent his deputy, Cardinal Pietro Parolin to visit both DRC and South Sudan on the days he was supposed to have visited these countries.