Pope sends envoy to Sudan, calls for greater protection for people

Published: 2004-07-22

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II called for greater protection for people in the Darfur region of Sudan as he sent a special Vatican envoy to the region out of "continued deep concern" for the worsening humanitarian situation there. Archbishop Paul Cordes, head of the Vatican's charity arm, the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," left July 22 for Sudan's capital, Khartoum, to meet with local church officials and visit camps for displaced Sudanese. Through Archbishop Cordes, "the Holy Father wishes to send his greetings to the beloved Catholic community and to all people in Sudan who are in distress and in need, especially in the region of Darfur," said Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state, in a letter released July 22 at the Vatican. The pope was sending an emissary to assure the people there "of his closeness, solidarity and prayer, in particular for the refugees, who suffer on account of the ongoing conflicts and their grave consequences," Cardinal Sodano said.

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