South Sudan announces visit of pope Francis in early February

January 12, 2023 (JUBA) – Pope Francis will visit South Sudan from February 3-5, the government announced on Thursday.

The Foreign Affairs ministry urged foreign diplomats to attend the occasion due in the capital, Juba,

“The ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation of the republic of south Sudan presents to all the diplomatic and consular missions, international and regional organizations accredited to the republic of south Sudan in Juba and has the honour to inform all the heads and charge d affairs of the mission that the visit of Holy Father Pope”, partly reads the ministry’s statement.

Pope Francis will be accompanied by religious leaders from the Anglican community and the moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.  The papal visit had originally been scheduled for the summer of 2022, but had to be postponed due to his poor health.

The Apostolic Journey was announced in a statement from the Director of the Holy See Press Office:

“Accepting the invitation of their respective Heads of State and Bishops, His Holiness Pope Francis will make the announced Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo from 31 January to 3 February 2023, visiting the city of Kinshasa, and, together with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Ecumenical Pilgrimage of Peace to Juba, South Sudan, from 3 to 5 February next,” stressed the ministry’s statement.

The head of the Roman Catholic Church will meet representatives from charitable organisations in South Sudan, hold a meeting with the internally displaced persons and conduct prayer service.

Despite cancelling the Africa trip, the pope forged ahead with other overseas visits, including a trip to Canada in late July. Last month, he spent four days in Bahrain.

(ST)