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

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.

Highlights of the Pope’s Apostolic Journey will include a visit with victims from the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo; and in South Sudan, a meeting with internally displaced persons, and an Ecumenical Prayer service.

With the formal announcement of the Pope’s visit, the Holy See Press Office released the following schedule for the Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan (Ecumenical Peace Pilgrimage to South Sudan):

Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Holy Father will leave Rome on Tuesday, 31 January, arriving on Tuesday afternoon at Kinshasa “Ndjili” International Airport. The official welcome ceremony will take place at the “Palais de la Nation”.

Following the courtesy visit to the President of the Republic, the Holy Father will meet with Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps.

On Wednesday morning, 1 February, Holy Mass will be celebrated at “Ndolo” Airport. That afternoon, the Pope will meet with victims from the Eastern part of the country at the Apostolic Nunciature.

Around 6:30pm he will meet with representatives from some charities.

On Thursday, 2 February, the Pope will meet with young people and catechists in Martyrs’ Stadium and hold a prayer meeting with priests, deacons, consecrated persons and seminarians in the Cathedral “Notre Dame du Congo”.

The Pope will meet privately with members of the Society of Jesus.

On Friday morning, 3 February, he will meet with the Bishops at Cenco, followed by a farewell ceremony at Kinshasa “Ndjili” International Airport. He will then leave for Juba.

South Sudan

The Holy Father will arrive in Juba around 3:00pm. After a courtesy visit to the President of the Republic, he will meet the vice-Presidents of the Republic and then with Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps.

On Saturday, 4 February, Pope Francis will meet with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons and seminarians, and then privately with members of the Society of Jesus at the Apostolic Nunciature.

In the “Freedom Hall”, the Holy Father will meet with internally displaced persons, and then participate in an Ecumenical Prayer gathering at “John Garang” Mausoleum.

On Sunday, 5 February, in Juba, Holy Mass will be celebrated at “John Garang” Mausoleum. The farewell ceremony will take place at Juba International Airport. From there the Holy Father will depart for Rome, where he is expected to arrive at 5:30.