Protect, advance women for a better South Sudan, pope says

Pope Francis leads an ecumenical prayer at the John Garang Mausoleum during his apostolic journey, in Juba, South Sudan, February 4, 2023. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS

JUBA (Reuters) - Pope Francis joined other Christian leaders and the U.N. on Saturday in urging the protection and advancement of women in South Sudan, where rape has been a weapon of war, child brides are common and most girls do not reach secondary education.

The rights of girls and women was a recurring theme on the penultimate day of the pope's visit to South Sudan, an unprecedented joint "pilgrimage of peace" with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Church of Scotland Moderator Iain Greenshields.