The Catholic Ach diocese of Juba conducted a requiem mass on Tuesday for the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XIV who perished on 31 December 2022.
The 95-year-old Pope Emeritus died in Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, a residence he had chosen after resigning from the Petrine ministry in 2013.
Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martine Mulla presided over the mass at St. Theresa Cathedral –Kator attended by top church leaders, diplomats, senior government officials, and congregations to pay their tributes.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was described as “the defender of the truth, especially in the world full of relativism that solemnly downplays the truth of God.”
Archbishop Ameyu says Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is a humble servant and a witness to the truth.
“We thank the lord for the life of the Holy father pope Benedict XIV. Pope Benedict was a humble servant, a light who loves his lord dearly. He chose the motto of his pontificate, ‘God is Love’. Pope Benedict should be remembered as a defender of the doctrine of the church.”
The Catholic leader calls on faithful countrymen to be ready to receive the Holy Father; Pope Francis in February for a peace initiative.
Pope Francis will visit the two war-torn countries, DR. Congo and South Sudan for the first time this year.
The Minister of Presidential Affairs, Dr. Barnerba Marial Benjamin signed a condolence book on behalf of President Kiir and extended his grieved condolences to the Catholic Church and the Vatican Embassy in South Sudan.
“I’m here to represent the president, the Government, and South Sudanese, and the message to express on behalf of south Sudanese, the Government, the 10 states the three administrative areas. We are here to express our true condolences to Pope Benedict XVI.”
Dr. Barnaba reiterated that the government is tremendously delighted about the ecumenical peace visit of Pope Francis to South Sudan.
He appreciates the church leadership in South Sudan who worked a lot to initiate the visit of the Holy Father that tells the world, “South Sudan isn’t a hostile country.”
The church de affairs and representative of the Holy Father, Monsignor Yanut Paul, says the catholic family feels united as Christians gathered to pray for the soul of the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XV.
He reiterated the coming of Pope Francis to South Sudan and asks Christians remain ready to receive the Holy Father in February.