Pope Francis to visit DRC and South Sudan in early 2023

Pope Francis, here during his weekly Mass in St. Peter's Square, Vatican, November 30, 2022. © Andrew Medichini / AP

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The Vatican announced Thursday, December 1, that Pope Francis will visit the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan from January 31 to February 5.

The announcement of this apostolic trip to the two countries was eagerly awaited because it should have taken place last July, but had been postponed due to health concerns of the sovereign pontiff.

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With our correspondent at the Vatican,

These are two stages, Kinshasa and Juba, two capitals of countries that

.

The spokesperson for the Holy See had also explained that "to 

 ".

As tradition dictates, Francis will meet the political authorities of each country, such as those responsible for the Catholic Church, but also young people.

The initial stop planned in Goma was canceled due to

, but the pope will meet people displaced by violence in Kivu at the apostolic nunciature in the Congolese capital.

A high mass is also on the program at an airport in Kinshasa.

After three days spent in the DRC, François will then fly to South Sudan.

His visit to Juba will be alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, for what is billed as an ecumenical pilgrimage.

notably meet internally displaced persons from the civil war.

In a video message sent to the Congolese and South Sudanese populations in early July, François expressed

, urging political leaders to " 

 ”.

There is no doubt that this call will resound again in Kinshasa as in Juba.

This

to Africa will be Pope Francis' 40th outside Italy since his election.

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