Pope Francis celebrated Mass before tens of thousands of people, to close out an unusual mission by Christian religious leaders to nudge forward the South Sudan's recovery from civil war.
While there is excitement, the trip comes with a sense of urgency. Despite a peace deal, violence along political and ethnic lines has continued and millions are in the grip of famine.
His trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan will highlight the long-running conflicts in both countries and the rising importance of Africa to the future of the Catholic Church.
Akau Jambo just staged the first international comedy festival in a country that the U.N. calls a place of suffering. Talking about the role of laughter, he says, "Life doesn't stop – we keep living."
The photo series Unyielding Floods recently won its fifth award this year. It captures the strength and hardship of those affected by flooding of biblical proportions in South Sudan.
Dr. Edward Kenyi, born in South Sudan and now in the U.S., debunks myths about vaccines in his community. Yet he can't convince his mother back home to go for it. Maybe this letter will do the trick.
