On 29 January, Pope Francis announced his upcoming ecumenical peace pilgrimage to South Sudan: "I thank the civil authorities and the local bishops for their invitations and for the preparations they have made for these visits, and I greet with affection those beloved peoples who await me.
"These lands, situated in the centre of the great African continent, have suffered greatly from lengthy conflicts. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially in the east of the country, suffers from armed clashes and exploitation. South Sudan, wracked by years of war, longs for an end to the constant violence that forces many people to be displaced and to live in conditions of great hardship. In South Sudan, I will arrive together with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Together, as brothers, we will make an ecumenical pilgrimage of peace, to entreat God and men to bring an end to the hostilities and for reconciliation. I ask everyone, please, to accompany this Journey with their prayers."
Tuesday, 31 January 2023
ROME - KINSHASA
7:55 | Departure by airplane from Rome/Fiumicino International Airport to Kinshasa |
15:00 | Arrival at Kinshasa “Ndjili” International Airport |
15:00 | Official Welcome |
16:30 | Welcome Ceremony at the “Palais de la Nation” |
16:45 | Courtesy Visit to the President of the Republic in the “Salle Présidentielle” of the “Palais de la Nation” |
17:30 | Meeting with Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps in the garden of the “Palais de la Nation” |
Wednesday, 1st February 2023
KINSHASA
9:30 | Holy Mass at “Ndolo” Airport |
16:30 | Meeting with Victims from the Eastern Part of the Country at the Apostolic Nunciature |
18:30 | Meeting with Representatives from some Charities at the Apostolic Nunciature |
Thursday, 2nd February 2023
KINSHASA
9:30 | Meeting with Young People and Catechists in Martyrs’ Stadium |
16:30 | Prayer Meeting with Priests, Deacons, Consecrated Persons and Seminarians in the Cathedral “Notre Dame du Congo” |
18:30 | Private meeting with Members of the Society of Jesus at the Apostolic Nunciature |
Friday, 3rd February 2023
KINSHASA - JUBA
8:30 | Meeting with Bishops at CENCO |
10:10 | Farewell Ceremony at Kinshasa “Ndjili” International Airport |
10:40 | Departure by airplane from Kinshasa “Ndjili” International Airport to Juba The Holy Father is making the Journey to South Sudan together with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland |
15:00 | Arrival at Juba International Airport |
15:00 | Welcome Ceremony |
15:45 | Courtesy Visit to the President of the Republic at the Presidential Palace |
16:15 | Meeting with The Vice-Presidents of the Republic |
17:00 | Meeting with Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps in the garden of the Presidential Palace |
Saturday, 4 February 2023
JUBA
9:00 | Meeting with Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Consecrated Persons and Seminarians in the Cathedral of Saint Therese |
11:00 | Private meeting with Members of the Society of Jesus at the Apostolic Nunciature |
16:30 | Meeting with internally Displaced Persons in the “Freedom Hall” |
18:00 | Ecumenical Prayer at “John Garang” Mausoleum |
Sunday, 5 February 2023
JUBA - ROME
8:45 | Holy Mass at “John Garang” Mausoleum |
11:00 | Farewell Ceremony at Juba International Airport |
11:30 | Departure by airplane from Juba International Airport to Rome |
17:30 | Arrival at Rome Fiumicino International Airport |