Q&A with Sr. Henriette
What is your most cherished memory of Pope Francis?
My most cherished memory of Pope Francis his concern with the suffering especially his concern with the people of South Sudan whom I amplify their stories through media every day, I remember how he knelt and kissed the feet of South Sudanese political leaders during Vatican retreat in 2019 begging them to stop fighting and embrace peace, as if this is not enough, he visited this youngest country in 2023 with the message of peace. He did not end his concern for them with the historic visit, he wrote different statements still asking them to embrace peace, and even gave them a residential Apostolic Nuncio who is a diplomatic envoy and a liaison between the local Catholic Church in South Sudan and the Vatican. He gave anew hope to my people of South Sudan, his humble actions to South Sudanese have never left me, and how I wish that one day his desire of seeing this country experiencing everlasting peace will come into fulfilment.
Another good memory of Pope Francis that keeps lingering in my mind is his warning against clericalism in the Church. He noted that clericalism is a “perversion”, an “abuse of power”, it leads to “lack of commitment”, “clericalism is a plague in the Church”, and in the last synod on synodality he emphasized on the combating clericalism by listening, participation, and shared responsibility among all Church members.
How did you feel when he was first elected pope?
Being a Franciscan and Pope picking up the name “Francis” after St Francis of Assisi for me was an indication of something totally different in our Catholic Church, and indeed we have seen a Church being aligned with the poor, simplicity, and creation through his teachings and writings in the footsteps of St. Francis.
Did you ever have a personal encounter or moment with him?
I did not meet him personally, but I have encountered him in his communication with the people of South Sudan, to women religious and his expression of love to the suffering nations. I have also encountered him in his encyclicals especially the “Fratelli Tutti”.
How did Pope Francis shape your vocation or ministry?
In his message for 59th World Day of Prayer for vocation he said that “vocation is about making God’s dream come true, and going into the peripheries” this enabled me to embrace my apostolate/ministry with new conviction among the wounded in South Sudan though not easy at all.
Which of his teachings or writings touched you most deeply?
Pope Francis encyclical letter “Fratelli Tutti” stands out for me. He proposes fraternity and social friendship as ways of building a better, just and peaceful world with a commitment of all, encouraging us to be neighbors, not associates.
Did he influence the way the world views religious sisters?
The Holy Father passionately changed the way the society views religious sisters; “What would the Church be without you? It would be missing maternity, affection, tenderness and a mother’s intuition”, he noted. Concern with the work religious sisters are doing, he advocated for sisters to pursue continuing education since their work at the peripheries requires training and competence. For me he brought the vital role of religious sisters in the Church into lime light.
What do you believe is Pope Francis’ most lasting legacy?
Advocacy for peace
How will you personally carry forward his message?
I will carry his message by reminding the young people I work with in South Sudan that Mercy is not weakness and that peace is possible. Just like Pope Francis urged Catholic journalists and media workers to be courageous truth-tellers and bearers of hope in age marked by conflict, division, and misinformation, I will seek to speak the truth in my reporting as a Catholic Journalist and tell stories that inspire people.
What should the Church and world remember most about him?
The Church and the world should not forget about Synodality. Listening, Dialogue and Participation as the theme of last Synod on Synodality should be part of our daily life.
In one word or short phrase, how would you describe his legacy?
“Ambassador of peace and tenderness”