Last Saturday, Pope Francis met the missionary community "Doctors with Africa - Cuamm" to celebrate its 70 years of existence. During the meeting, the leader of the Catholic Church stressed the importance of valuing the "intellectual capital" of young Africans and announced a future visit to South Sudan in 2023.
Pope Francis expressed his gratitude for the community's commitment to standing alongside Africa, stressing that the continent should not be seen as a resource to be exploited, but as a region to be promoted and valued. He also recalled meeting a nun in the Central African Republic in 2015, who had devoted her life to helping local communities, notably as a midwife.
The Pontiff highlighted the need to support the development of Africa's valuable "intellectual capital", referring to a recent virtual meeting with African university students, where he was impressed by their potential and intellectual ability. Francis called for these young people to be supported and encouraged to pursue their dreams and aspirations.
He also lamented the reality of many people around the world who have no access to basic healthcare, describing it as a shame for humanity. The Pope criticised excessive spending on weaponry, contrasting it with the lack of resources in essential areas such as health.
Francis made reference to African countries that are particularly dear to him, such as the Central African Republic and South Sudan, stressing their fragility and the need to support them. He encouraged the missionary community to continue its work, even in the face of challenges and adversity, and to collaborate closely with local Churches, governments and other missionary congregations.
Regarding the Covid pandemic and other global crises, the Pope observed that Africa has been particularly affected, with worsening poverty and a lack of social protection systems. He called for greater global awareness of these issues and asked that Africa be given a voice, so that its challenges and hopes may be heard and acknowledged.
Francis ended his speech by valuing the "treasure" that young Africans represent, encouraging the creation of educational exchanges between young Italians and Africans. He also recalled meeting a nun in the Congo, who devoted more than 50 years of her life to serving the local community, as a symbol of the dedication and commitment that many have shown towards the African continent. He encouraged everyone to follow the example of these pioneers and to continue supporting and promoting Africa.
