The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, returned to the South Sudanese capital, Juba, after spending a day in the Bentiu camp for displaced persons, on the outskirts of the city of the same name, in Unity State, north of the country.An intense moment, lived in stages among those who no longer have anything, if they ever had it.They are the people displaced by the 2013 civil war, which broke out just two years after the young South Sudan gained independence and lasted until 2020.It is in the Unity State where the vice president, Riek Machar, one of the protagonists of the conflict against President Salva Kiir, was born, and it is one of the places that has seen the most intense fighting, which has produced an impressive number of displaced people.To them, over time, especially since 2019, have been added those who have fled their homes due to the floods that, in 2021, were among the worst that this State has experienced in recent years.A record amount of rain flooded the entire territory, preventing its inhabitants from being able to live, from being able to farm, and causing the loss of hundreds of thousands of head of cattle.Everything on which the survival of the community depends has been destroyed, hunger has reached terrifying levels, and the panorama that opens up in the eyes of those who arrive at the camp, as well as those of Secretary of State Parolin, is that of a devastated land, submerged for long stretches, with some 150,000 displaced, forced to live in unimaginable sanitary conditions, without drinking water, with open drains and with the constant spectrum of epidemics, from hepatitis to malaria to cholera, that periodically, even in recent weeks, shake this place and then spread to the other Sudanese states."We are on the periphery of the peripheries," Cardinal Parolin said, denouncing the living conditions of those who "do not have even the bare minimum to survive. Without international aid from the UN there would be no hope. These people wanted to lead a life dignified, raising their children, but two catastrophes, one human, the war, and the other natural, the rains, have made their lives vulnerable", explained Monsignor Stephen Nyodho Ador Majwok, Bishop of the Diocese of Malakal, of which Bentiu is part of it with its refugee camp, "and the situation is getting worse".“90% of the population is under 40 years old, there are many children and there is no school for them, what will be the future?It is something that makes an impact". For the bishop, who remained with Cardinal Parolin throughout the visit to the camp, the arrival of the cardinal was "a wonderful and historic moment for the diocese of Malakal", he continued, "he has come to defend our people". An unforgettable day for the population of the State of Unity and Bentiu which, concluded the prelate, "will strengthen faith in the Church of this people, touched by atrocities, war and natural disasters"."God does not forget the injustices they have suffered" Cardinal Parolin also celebrated mass in the Bentiu camp, in northern South Sudan, where more than 140,000 people, mostly children, gathered.The meeting with the representatives of Unmiss and with the members of the local government, but above all the hug with the people who reserved an indescribable welcome for the Secretary of State who asked them: "Pray that the Pope comes among you".In the midst of this crowd, Cardinal Parolin entered the parish of Santa Martina de Porres.It is not a church, but a huge semi-dark hut, lit by two rows of little ministers holding green candles.They were singing for the cardinal, to whom three elderly women who managed to get past security brought him canvas shoes as a sign of hospitality.Parolin was almost moved when he took the microphone:“I have not come on my own but to bring you the affection of Pope Francis.I come to prepare for his arrival as John the Baptist.The Pope wants to come to South Sudan, he is planning a trip to Juba, but the visit is planned for the whole country, to meet the whole people”, he expressed.Translated into the local language by a priest, the Vatican cardinal then asked for prayers for the Pope and added: “I am happy to be here, to share his faith and his joy.They are really good Christians, good Catholics.”The next stage was in the containers of the headquarters of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (Unmiss), where the cardinal met with the head of the mission for this nation, Paul Ebweko, and assured him that "the Holy See appreciates what is being done for the rural population".Already in the car, the cardinal returned to the northern area to enter the field and celebrate mass.It is difficult to find adequate words to describe the welcome given to the Secretary of State, who was immediately taken to the jeep.Standing up, protected by a yellow umbrella to protect himself from the sun, he began to wave, although without stopping, throughout the dozen kilometers that led to the barbed wire gate that marks the entrance to the camp.He greeted the more than 140,000 downtown residents, who were singing, waving flags, holding up photos of St. Josephine Bakhita and chasing after the car.Some tried to get closer but were repelled by the volunteers with wooden sticks.Many were barefoot, with their legs and hands covered in dust and flies all over their bodies.In some places the smell was nauseating from animal droppings and stagnant water.However, one can't help but be glad that they show themselves to the guests like this, happy.+Argentine Catholic Information Agency Bolívar 218, 3rd Floor (1066), Buenos Aires, Argentina (54-11) 4343-4397