On January 31, 2023, Pope Francis embarked on a six-day trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan, starting in Kinshasa and continuing to Juba on February 3.
Joined by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland in South Sudan, this ecumenical pilgrimage marks the first papal visit to DRC since 1985.
Originally planned for July 2022, the trip was postponed due to the 86-year-old pontiff’s knee issues, which now require him to use a wheelchair.
Revised Itinerary Amid Security Concerns
The original plan included a visit to Goma in North Kivu, a region plagued by over 100 armed groups, including the M23 rebels, who recently advanced near the city.
Due to security risks, this leg was canceled, but Pope Francis will meet victims of eastern DRC’s conflict in Kinshasa.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni stated there is “no specific threat” to the pontiff, though security remains a concern due to militia activities, including a January 15, 2023, church bombing by the Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces, which killed 14.
Focus on Peace and Reconciliation
As the 40th overseas trip of his papacy and his fifth to Africa, Pope Francis will deliver 12 public addresses and meet with officials, clerics, and charities.
His agenda emphasizes peace in DRC, where three decades of conflict in the east have displaced millions, and in South Sudan, scarred by a brutal civil war.
Key issues include education, climate change, deforestation, and social and health challenges in these impoverished nations.
Massive Public Engagement in Kinshasa
In DRC, a former Belgian colony with 35 million Catholics, over one million people are expected to attend an open-air mass at Kinshasa’s airport on February 1, 2023.
Papal souvenirs, including T-shirts and wax prints, are already in high demand.
Mauro Garofalo of the Sant’Egidio community told AFP that the Pope’s visit could inspire political leaders to address DRC’s persistent issues, including poverty and underdevelopment despite vast mineral wealth.
Addressing Social Injustice
Catholic teacher Justin-Marie Bayala expressed hope that the Pope’s visit would bring “lasting peace” to DRC, a country marked by social injustice and exploitation of its resources.
Samuel Pommeret of CCFD-Terre Solidaire noted that Pope Francis could challenge economic actors profiting from DRC’s wealth, urging accountability for the “scandal of underdevelopment and poverty.”
Ecumenical Mission in South Sudan
In Juba, the Pope’s ecumenical efforts with Anglican and Church of Scotland leaders aim to foster reconciliation in South Sudan, where violence persists post-civil war.
The visit underscores the Catholic Church’s commitment to supporting peace processes in conflict-ridden regions, leveraging spiritual and diplomatic influence.
