The Holy See Press Office announces that Pope Francis will travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan for an ecumenical peace pilgrimage from 31 January to 5 February 2023, journeys postponed in the past due to health reasons.
Pope Francis said that plans were already underway for the realization of the postponed ecumenical trip to South Sudan and his pastoral visit to the DRC, at the beginning of next February.
“In an increasingly polarised and divided world, may the Christian community be a leaven of brotherhood and unity,” the words of Rumbek Bishop Carlassare.
Pope Francis is in contact with the head of the Anglican Communion and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in view of realizing their postponed ecumenical trip to South Sudan.
We are pleased to share the speech that Father Jim Greene, Executive Director of Solidarity with South Sudan and Chairperson RSASS, wrote for Cardinal Parolin on his visit to South Sudan.
Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin celebrates Mass in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, and calls for forgiveness and love to overcome the tendency toward violence and oppression.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin has left Kinshasa to travel to Juba, the second stop on his trip to Africa on behalf of the Pope.
Pope Francis has said that he is “greatly disappointed” that he had to postpone his trip to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which was supposed to take place this week.
Pope Francis will be represented by Cardinal Pietro Parolin during the official visit to South Sudan in July. The Pontiff was supposed to personally tour Juba between July 5 and 7 but the visit was postponed at the request of his doctors.
Peace building is a process that is gradual and must be consistent and integrative at all levels. It calls for “endurance” and the People of South Sudan are heralds of endurance in the most trying of times.
