Pope to travel to DR Congo and South Sudan in early 2023

Official logo for South Sudan visit. Vatican Media

Source: Vatican Media

The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis will visit the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan from 31 January to 5 February 2023. He had planned to go in summer this year but that journey was postponed because of health issues.

The Holy Father will visit the city of Kinshasa in DR Congo meeting aid agencies there. In Juba, South Sudan he will meet internally displaced persons and take part in an open air Ecumenical Prayer Service together with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby tweeted: "I am very pleased that a historic visit to South Sudan with Pope Francis and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland will now go ahead. It will happen in February. Together we share a deep desire to stand in solidarity with the people of South Sudan in their suffering."

Dr Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the Church of Scotland said: "I am delighted our prayers have been answered and Pope Francis's health has improved to enable this vitally important visit to go ahead. I am humbled at the opportunity to support our brothers and sisters in South Sudan."