Pope Francis saddened by attack which killed nuns in South Sudan
Pope Francis has sent his condolences after a violent attack on a group of Catholic religious sisters and others in South Sudan left five dead last week.
“His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the brutal attack on a group of Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” the August 17 message said.
A road ambush along a highway in South Sudan August 16 resulted in the deaths of five people, including Catholic nuns, Sr Mary Daniel Abud and Sr Regina Roba.
The two were among a group of seven Catholic sisters traveling in a bus to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, from Assumption of Our Lady Parish in the city of Nimule, about 120 miles to the south.
Pope Francis’ message said he “offers heartfelt condolences” to the families and religious community of the sisters who died from “this senseless act of violence”.
“Trusting that their sacrifice will advance the cause of peace, reconciliation and security in the region, His Holiness prays for their eternal rest and the comfort of those who grieve their loss,” the telegram, signed by Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said.
Pope Francis and Ad Council collaborate to promote Covid vaccines in the Americas
Pope Francis, along with six cardinals and archbishops from North, South, and Central America, worked in collaboration with the Ad Council to produce a public service announcement promoting Covid-19 vaccines.
The announcement is the first Ad Council campaign designed for a global audience, and will be distributed in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
The PSA is part of the Ad Council’s Covid-19 Vaccine Education Initiative to encourage vaccination against the coronavirus.
“Covid-19 vaccines are safe, effective and save lives,” the Ad Council stated in an August 17 release.
In the PSA, Pope Francis is heard saying, “Getting the vaccines that are authorised by the respective authorities is an act of love. I pray to God that each one of us can make his or her own small gesture of love, no matter how small, love is always grand.”
“To the world’s billion-plus Catholics, the Pope is one of the most trusted messengers and holds unparalleled influence,” said Lisa Sherman, president and CEO of the Ad Council, in the release. “We are extremely grateful to him and the cardinals and archbishops for lending their voices and platforms to help people across the globe feel more confident in the vaccines.”
Pope Francis will not offer a public Mass during Scotland visit
Pope Francis will not offer a public Mass during his short visit to Glasgow in November, according to the Scottish bishops’ conference.
“I can confirm that the Scottish bishops are not planning a public Mass with Pope Francis in November,” Peter Kearney, spokesman for the Scottish bishops, told CNA on August 17.
“The Pope will visit as a guest of the UK Government who will be responsible for the arrangement details. We understand he will only be a few hours in Scotland to attend the COP26 gathering and expect he will have only a very short part of this time to meet with the Scottish bishops,” he said.
The Pope is expected to attend the “world leaders summit” in the opening days of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) taking place in Glasgow on November 1-12.
