South Sudan’s Christian leaders rue upsurge in violence (Vatican News)

The nation of 10.3 million (map), which is 62% Christian (and 41% Catholic), 32% ethnic religionist, and 6% Muslim, gained independence from largely Muslim Sudan in 2011. The South Sudanese Civil War began in 2013; the war has left 400,000 dead and displaced over 3.6 million civilians. In April 2019, Pope Francis kissed the feet of the nation’s leaders as he appealed for peace.