Pope Francis. Photo: AP
Juba, January 19, 2023 (SSNA) — Pope Francis will arrive in South Sudan on February 3 to meet South Sudanese political and religious leaders, both the Vatican and Juba have confirmed.
The highly anticipated visit was first announced in 2020 months after the Pope met with South Sudanese leaders at a retreat at the Vatican but postponed due to Pope’s health-related issues.
A source who is an assistant to one of South Sudan’s top religious leaders told the South Sudan News Agency in November last year that Pope Francis was set to arrive in Juba in February 2023.
The Pope is expected to urge South Sudanese leaders to implement the September 2018 revitalized peace agreement. Pope Francis will also participate in an ecumenical prayer service at the John Garang Mausoleum in Juba.