February 2023 started with Pope Francis' 6 day trip to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
On the second day of his trip, the Pope heard the testimonies of some victims of the war in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The 25 year conflict has claimed three million victims.
I was kept as a sex slave and abused for three months. Every day, five to ten men abused each of us. We were made to eat corn paste and the flesh of the people who had been killed. Sometimes they mixed people's flesh with the meat of animals—this was our daily food.
The trip to South Sudan was driven specifically by the Pope's desire to promote peace in the
country that has faced chronic conflicts since its independence in 2011.
At a meeting with people who have been internally displaced due to the violence, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of the role of the women who provide for their families despite the difficulties they face. He described them as the future of the country.
POPE FRANCIS
Mothers, and women in general, are the key to transforming the country. If they are given the right opportunities, through their resourcefulness and their attitude of cherishing life, they will have the ability to change the face of South Sudan.
Please protect, respect, value and honor every woman.
After returning to Rome, the magazine, La Civiltà Cattolica, released details of a meeting Pope Francis had with Jesuits during his trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo. One of the biggest topics dealt with the papacy.
The Pope said it should be an office for life, if illness does not prevent proper governing. He explained that if "we are only concerned with gossip, we should change popes every six months."
One of the most touching images of the month was from this encounter with children with rare diseases. Pope Francis took time to greet each child and give them a rosary.
Antonia, here's a rosary. This is for you.
At the end of the month, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis' second trip of the year would be to Hungary.
KG
