South Sudan

The Latest

Ave Maria Parish Church, outside Mupoi, South Sudan.

In war-torn South Sudan, two Spanish priests build a shrine to Our Lady of the Rosary

May 31, 2019

Ave Maria, the parish church outside Mupoi, South Sudan, fell into disrepair decades ago. It was abandoned at the beginning... Read more

Pope Francis greets South Sudanese president Salva Kiir at the Vatican, April 11, 2019.

South Sudan president: I was ‘almost trembling’ as Pope Francis begged me to make peace

May 20, 2019

By Jonah McKeown

In an unprecedented gesture last month, Pope Francis kissed the feet of several South Sudanese leaders, who were visiting the... Read more

Sister Ester of South Sudan's "Blue Sisters."

In South Sudan, the 'Blue Sisters' bring hope to abused women

May 4, 2019

They were founded three decades ago in southern Sudan, and named the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary. But in... Read more

Bishop Eduardo Kussala of Tombura-Yambio.

How the South Sudanese bishops are working to promote peace

May 3, 2019

By Perry West

The president of the Sudanese Bishops’ Conference said he believes peace in South Sudan is possible, but the process will... Read more

Archbishop of Canterbury joins Pope Francis to co-host South Sudan retreat

Apr 9, 2019

By Courtney Mares

The leaders of the newest country in the world will meet this week in the smallest country in the world.  Read more

Cattle paid to South Sudan families after girls died in Catholic school fire

Apr 7, 2019

After a fire killed three young girls at a Catholic girls boarding school in South Sudan last month, the local... Read more

Pope Francis meeting with President Salva Kiir Mayardit of the Republic of South Sudan on March 16, 2019.

Pope Francis to host 'spiritual retreat' for leaders of war-torn South Sudan

Apr 4, 2019

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican will host a “spiritual retreat” for South Sudan’s president and opposition leader as they navigate the peace process... Read more

Pope Francis Aug. 12, 2018.

We will be judged for whether we shared 'our daily bread,' pope says

Mar 27, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

The ‘daily bread’ asked of God in the ‘Our Father’ is for everyone, and Christians will be judged by how... Read more

A child carrying water at the Tomping civilian protection site on May 6, 2014.

South Sudan's bishops fear peace treaty will fail

Mar 3, 2019

A peace agreement between the South Sudanese government and opposition leaders is bound to fail, because root problems have not... Read more

(L-R) South Sudan opposition leader Riek Machar, Uganda President Yoweri Museveni, Sudan President Omar al-Bashir and South Sudan President Salva Kiir at peace talks. 

Bishops cautiously hopeful as South Sudan declares permanent ceasefire

Jun 29, 2018

More than four-and-a-half years after a devastating civil war broke out in the world’s youngest country, a permanent ceasefire has... Read more

Child in South Sudan.

In South Sudan, 'the body of Christ is bleeding,' bishop says

Mar 23, 2018

By Elise Harris

On Friday an ecumenical delegation from South Sudan met privately with Pope Francis and again invited him to visit the... Read more

US bishops urge day of prayer and fasting for peace in DRC, S Sudan

Feb 14, 2018

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has urged Catholics to join Pope Francis Feb. 23 in a Day of Prayer... Read more

Pope Francis leads a prayer vigil for South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo Nov. 23, 2017.

Pope announces day of prayer, fasting for Congo and South Sudan

Feb 4, 2018

By Elise Harris

On Sunday Pope Francis announced that the first Friday of Lent would be a day of prayer and fasting for... Read more

South Sudan joins Pope Francis in prayers for peace

Nov 27, 2017

By Perry West

The Catholic bishops of South Sudan urged Catholics to join Pope Francis in a prayer for peace in the newest... Read more

Pope Francis leads a prayer vigil for South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo Nov. 23, 2017.

Pope prays for peace, victims of war in Congo and South Sudan

Nov 23, 2017

By Elise Harris

With plans to visit South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo this year thwarted by ongoing conflict, Pope... Read more

Protection of Civilians site in Wau, South Sudan.

Thousands of South Sudanese find refuge in cathedral

Aug 20, 2017

As the civil war in South Sudan heightens, millions are fleeing their homes for safer ground, which many have found... Read more

South Sudanese refugees arrive at refugee camps in Uganda.

No end in sight as Uganda receives one million South Sudanese refugees

Aug 17, 2017

The tally of South Sudanese refugees entering Uganda for shelter and safety marked 1 million this week, in what is... Read more

Pope Francis arrives in St. Peter's Square for the general audience Sept. 21, 2016.

Vatican: South Sudan not on Pope's itinerary for 2017

May 30, 2017

By Elise Harris

On Friday Vatican spokesman Greg Burke confirmed that while Pope Francis had voiced his desire to travel South Sudan for... Read more

Children in South Sudan.

South Sudanese bishop: It takes unity to achieve peace

Apr 10, 2017

The president of the Sudanese Catholic Bishops’ Conference called on leaders in South Sudan’s Bahr El Ghazal region to fight... Read more

South Sudan bishop says nation's prayers must provoke change

Mar 16, 2017

Amid war, displacement and hunger, South Sudan's day of prayer must lead to true repentance, a leading Catholic bishop has... Read more