Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, Archbishop of Juba in South Sudan, has disclosed that Pope Francis has issued a directive to bishops, emphasizing the importance of promoting women's leadership in various capacities within their dioceses.

Cardinal Mulla, who was recently elevated to the rank of Cardinal by Pope Francis, returned to South Sudan from the Vatican.

This elevation to the rank of Cardinal was part of a larger move by Pope Francis in September, where he promoted three African archbishops to the status of Cardinal.

The other two clerics were Cardinal Protase Rugambwa from Tanzania and Cardinal Stephen Brislin from South Africa. This decision was part of the appointment of 21 new cardinals.

Addressing an enthusiastic gathering at St. Theresa’s Cathedral in the capital, Juba, Cardinal Ameyu mentioned that his return was slightly delayed due to Pope Francis' request for his participation in a synod dedicated to discussing the Church's role in evangelization.

Pope Francis' call for prioritizing women's leadership highlights the evolving and inclusive approach being adopted within the Catholic Church. This emphasis on gender equality in leadership roles underscores the importance of fostering diversity and equal representation in the Church's activities.

“In the synod, the Pope says 'let’s put women first'. If we put women first, this church will stand strong. God willing in our archdiocese we will respect the work done by women in all the committees in our Church.

“Today our life [in South Sudan] has been broken by the war, it has been broken by quarrels in our families, it has been broken by mothers leaving the house, it has been broken by irresponsible fathers who leave the house – all of us have a broken life,” Cardinal Ameyu said.