SUDAN. Pope John Paul II's official visit to Sudan, arriving at Khartoum airport on 10.2.93, after visiting several other African nations, he pleaded for human rights, a solution to the civil war with the South Sudan (majority population are Catholics) when he met with the President Col Omar Al Bashir (who came to power in 1989). At Papal Nunciature he was welcomed by Muslims and priests from several sects, and listened to a speech by Dr Ahmed al Imam. 1993.
Bakhita's legacy is that transformation is possible through suffering. Her story of deliverance from physical slavery also symbolizes all those who find meaning and inspiration in her life for their own deliverance from spiritual slavery. On a larger scale, however, Bakhita's story of a slave who was forced to convert to Islam and later chose Christianity represents a conflict between Christianity and Islam. In May 1992 news of her beatification was banned by Khartoum which Pope John Paul II then personally visited only nine months later. On 10 February 1993, facing all risks, surrounded by an immense crowd in the huge Green Square of the capital of Sudan, he solemnly honoured Bakhita on her own soil. "Rejoice, all of Africa! Bakhita has come back to you. The daughter of Sudan sold into slavery as a living piece of merchandise and yet still free. Free with the freedom of the saints."
Josephine Bakhita
On her deathbed, someone asked her: "How are you? Today is Saturday". "Yes, I am so happy: Our Lady... Our Lady!". These were her last audible words.