Pope Francis

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Pope Francis' trip to DRC and South Sudan:  January 31 - February 5, 2023

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/travels/2023/outside/documents/congo-sudsudan-2023.html
APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
TO THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO AND SOUTH SUDAN
(ECUMENICAL PEACE PILGRIMAGE TO SOUTH SUDAN)
31 JANUARY - 5 FEBRUARY 2023

Multimedia
Missal for the Apostolic Journey
Message of His Holiness Pope Francis
Photo Gallery

Tuesday, 31 January 2023

ROME - KINSHASA

7:55   Departure by airplane from Rome/Fiumicino International Airport to Kinshasa 
    Greeting to journalists on the flight 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”
 

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Pope Francis' trip to DRC and South Sudan:  January 31 - February 5, 2023

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-francis-sets-off-to-dr-congo-south-sudan.html
Pope Francis departs for DR Congo, South Sudan visit
31 January 2023, 08:29

Pope Francis sets off on his 40th Apostolic Journey abroad to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan for an ecumenical pilgrimage centred on peace and reconciliation, marking his 5th Apostolic Journey to Africa.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis has departed on his 40th Apostolic Journey abroad to the African nations of South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The ITA-Airways papal flight left Rome's Fiumicino International Airport at 8:29 AM local time Tuesday morning, carrying the Pope and more than 70 journalists. The flight is scheduled to arrive at “Ndjili” International Airport in the DRC's capital of Kinshasa around 3 PM local time.

Closeness to migrants, refugees, and the fallen

On Tuesday morning, before leaving his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis met with about ten migrants and refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, who are supported, along with their families, by the Jesuit-run Centro Astalli in Rome. Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Charity, accompanied the group for their visit with the Pope.

Upon arriving at the airport, the Pope's car stopped briefly near the Monument to the 'Fallen of Kindu,' as the 13 Italian airmen killed in Congo on 11 November 1961 are known.
The Holy Father dedicated a prayer to the victims of that massacre and to all those who lost their lives participating in humanitarian and peace missions, before proceeding toward the papal plane.
 

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Pope Francis' trip to DRC and South Sudan:  January 31 - February 5, 2023

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-prays-for-migrants-while-greeting-papal-flight-journalists.html
Pope prays for migrants in greetings to journalists on papal plane
31 January 2023, 12:33

Pope Francis prays for migrants who have died while seeking to cross the Sahara Desert and Mediterranean Sea, as he greets journalists aboard the papal plane en route to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

As he flew over the Sahara, at the start of his 40th Apostolic Journey abroad, Pope Francis asked for a prayer for people who have died trying to cross the desert and the Mediterranean Sea.

The Pope made the request on Tuesday while aboard the papal plane bound for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

As he offered words of gratitude to the more than 70 journalists on the flight, hailing from some 12 countries, the Pope said, “We pray for those people."

While expressing gratitude to be able to make this long-desired Apostolic Journey to the DRC and South Sudan, the Holy Father also expressed disappointment to no longer be able to visit the Congolese city of Goma due to violence in the area.

Keeping with tradion, the Pope exchanged a brief greeting with each journalist, as they came up to greet him aboard the flight.

The Pope thanked the press for their work, which enables the visit to reach people around the world.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/january.index.html
Speeches 2023 January
Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo: Greeting to journalists on the flight to Kinshasa (31 January 2023)

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Pope Francis' trip to DRC and South Sudan:  January 31 - February 5, 2023

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-francis-sets-off-to-dr-congo-south-sudan1.html
Pope Francis arrives in the Democratic Republic of Congo
31 January 2023, 15:05

Pope Francis arrives in the Democratic Republic of Congo, beginning his 40th Apostolic Journey abroad and his fifth Journey to Africa.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis has arrived in Kinshasa, as he begins his Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The flight landed at the “Ndjili” International Airport in the DRC's capital of Kinshasa at 2:33 PM local time.

The ITA-Airways papal flight had left Rome's Fiumicino International Airport at 8:29 AM local time Tuesday morning, carrying the Pope and more than 70 journalists.
The Holy Father will first visit the nation from 31 January to 3 February, following in the footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II, who visited there in 1980 and 1985.

Fifth visit to African continent

Pope Francis visit to the African nations of South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) marks his 40th Apostolic Journey abroad, and fifth, to Africa.

In Kinshasa, the Pope was received by a welcoming ceremony. The Pope then pays a courtesy visit to President Felix Tshisekedi, and address the country's authorities, civil society, and diplomatic corps.
 

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Pope Francis' trip to DRC and South Sudan:  January 31 - February 5, 2023

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-01/pope-decries-conflicts-and-economic-colonialism-in-drc.html
Pope decries conflicts and economic colonialism in DR Congo
31 January 2023, 17:54

Meeting with civil authorities on the first day of his Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pope Francis addresses the most pressing issues affecting the African nation, including ongoing conflict and economic colonialism, and urges the Congolese people to reject violence.
By Lisa Zengarini

In his first speech upon his arrival to the Democratic Republic of Congo, on Tuesday, Pope Francis decried the conflicts that continue to ravage the country, and the reckless exploitation of its immense natural resources by foreign forces.

Meeting with government authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps in the garden of the “Palais de la Nation” in Kinshasa, after his courtesy visit to Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, the Pope urged the Congolese people to take their destiny into their own hands by rejecting violence and hatred.

He explained that his visit is born from his desire to bring them “the closeness, the affection and the consolation of the entire Catholic Church”, and that he is coming “as a pilgrim of reconciliation and peace”.
 

English text of speech, video and photo gallery at the link...
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/january.index.html
Speeches 2023 January
Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo: Meeting with Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps in the garden of the “Palais de la Nation” (Kinshasa, 31 January 2023)

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Pope Francis' trip to DRC and South Sudan:  January 31 - February 5, 2023

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/travels/2023/outside/documents/congo-sudsudan-2023.html
APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
TO THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO AND SOUTH SUDAN
(ECUMENICAL PEACE PILGRIMAGE TO SOUTH SUDAN)
31 JANUARY - 5 FEBRUARY 2023

Multimedia
Missal for the Apostolic Journey
Message of His Holiness Pope Francis
Photo Gallery

 
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
 

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Pope Francis' trip to DRC and South Sudan:  January 31 - February 5, 2023

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-02/zaire-rite-use-catholicity-africanness-congo-drc-libambu.html
"Catholic and African" - The Zaire Rite
01 February 2023, 12:47

As Pope Francis continues with his visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Vatican News speaks to an expert on the Zaire Rite, the liturgy developed specifically for use in that country.
By Stanislas Kambashi SJ

Father Michel Libambu, a priest of the Archdiocese of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is an expert on the Church Fathers and an official in the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

In an interview with Vatican News, he describes the origins of the Zaire rite of the Mass, as well as some of its particular features, such as the invocation of the ancestors at the beginning, the seated assembly during the proclamation of the Gospel, the lively music and the dances.
 

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Pope Francis' trip to DRC and South Sudan:  January 31 - February 5, 2023

Full video, with English commentary, at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/pope-at-mass-in-dr-congo-be-missionaries-of-peace-homily.html
Pope at Mass in DR Congo: Lay down your arms, embrace mercy
01 February 2023, 10:24

On the second day of his Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pope Francis celebrates Mass for more than a million people at the "Ndolo" airport in Kinshasa, and urges them to lay down their arms, embrace mercy, and be missionaries of peace.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Lay down your arms, embrace mercy, and be missionaries of peace.

Pope Francis gave this encouragement in his homily at Mass for the nation's faithful in the capital of Kinshasa on Wednesday, the second day of his Apostolic Visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Addressing the more than one million people gathered at the "Ndolo" airport, the Holy Father's homily began by expressing his joy to finally be in the DRC and among the Congolese people.

"Esengo, joy: to see and encounter you is a great joy," he said. "I have very much looked forward to this moment. Thank you for being here!"

The Holy Father recalled the Gospel reading which told of the four simple words Jesus offered to His disciples, on the evening of Easter, "Peace be with you!" These words, the Pope stressed, were "a gift" that enabled them to leave the past behind and start over.

The Pope invited those present to put themselves in the disciples' place.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/cardinal-ambongo-the-long-awaited-day-of-pope-francis-africa-drc.html
Cardinal Ambongo: Pope's DRC visit a 'call for reconciliation' in election year
01 February 2023, 15:10

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253515/1-million-attend-joyful-mass-with-pope-francis-in-democratic-republic-of-congo
1 million attend joyful Mass with Pope Francis in Democratic Republic of Congo
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Feb 1, 2023 / 04:30 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2023.index.html
Homilies 2023
Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo: Holy Mass at “Ndolo” Airport (Kinshasa, 1st February 2023)

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Pope Francis' trip to DRC and South Sudan:  January 31 - February 5, 2023

Video, with English commentary, at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/drc-survivors-from-the-east-share-their-stories-with-pope.html
Survivors of violence in DRC share heartbreaking stories with Pope Francis
01 February 2023, 17:23

Pope Francis meets in Kinshasa with survivors from the war-torn eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and condemns acts of violence after listening to their harrowing testimonies.
By Christopher Wells

Survivors of the ongoing conflict in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo shared stories of brutal violence, including mass killings and mutilation, abduction and lost relatives, serial rape and sexual slavery, and displaced people living in overcrowded and unsanitary refugee camps.

But amid the horrors of war and natural disasters, those who took part in Wednesday’s afternoon meeting with Pope Francis also spoke of forgiveness and hope, with one survivor expressing the hope of all: “We want to leave behind this dark past and be able to build a beautiful future.”
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253522/pope-francis-left-without-words-after-children-s-horrific-stories-of-violence-in-eastern-congo
Pope Francis ‘left without words’ after children’s shocking stories of violence in eastern Congo
By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, Feb 1, 2023 / 13:07 pm

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/february.index.html
Speeches 2023 February
Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo: Meeting with Victims from the Eastern Part of the Country at the Apostolic Nunciature (Kinshasa, 1st February 2023)

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Pope Francis' trip to DRC and South Sudan:  January 31 - February 5, 2023

Full video at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/pope-charities-silently-sowing-the-seeds-of-hope-in-drc.html
Pope: Charities sow seeds of hope in DRC and across African continent
01 February 2023, 18:25

Pope Francis concludes the second day of his Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo by meeting representatives from several charities in Kinshasa, and thanks them for their precious work for the most vulnerable.
By Lisa Zengarini

Addressing a group of representatives of some charities in Kinshasa's Apostolic Nunciature on Wednesday, Pope Francis praised their work which, he said, is like a forest silently growing and bearing fruit, amid the “noise” of ongoing violence and injustice.

The six charities

Attending the meeting were operators and beneficiaries of six charitable organizations and institutions who described their experiences and presented their activities in the fields of healthcare, education, and human development for the poor and marginalized. These included people affected by various types of disabilities, by Hansen’s disease and other illnesses.

Among them, the DREAM Center (Disease Relief through Excellent and Advanced Means) of the Community of Sant’Egidio, the Fasta Association, an Argentinan-based humanitarian organization, whose objective is the social promotion and inclusion of marginalized people through integral formation and community participation, and “Telema Ongenge”, a local association supporting disabled people to improve their life conditions. Also present were the Trappist nuns of Our Lady of Mvanda, in Kikwit.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/february.index.html
Speeches 2023 February
Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo: Meeting with Representatives from some Charities at the Apostolic Nunciature (Kinshasa, 1st February 2023)

Full video, with English commentary, at the link below...

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/events/event.dir.html/content/vaticanevents/en/2023/2/1/operecaritative-repdem-congo.html

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253516/pope-francis-appoints-auxiliary-bishop-from-colombia-to-lead-louisiana-diocese

Pope Francis appoints auxiliary bishop from Colombia to lead Louisiana diocese
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Feb 1, 2023 / 06:58 am

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Washington, to lead the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in Louisiana.

Dorsonville, 62, was born in Bogotá, Colombia. He first moved to the United States in the early 1990s to study for a doctorate in ministry from the Catholic University of America.

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux serves approximately 90,000 Catholics in southeastern Louisiana.

Dorsonville succeeds 59-year-old Archbishop Shelton Fabre, who was transferred to the Archdiocese of Louisville in Kentucky by Pope Francis in March 2022.
 

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Pope Francis' trip to DRC and South Sudan:  January 31 - February 5, 2023

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/travels/2023/outside/documents/congo-sudsudan-2023.html
APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
TO THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO AND SOUTH SUDAN
(ECUMENICAL PEACE PILGRIMAGE TO SOUTH SUDAN)
31 JANUARY - 5 FEBRUARY 2023

Multimedia
Missal for the Apostolic Journey
Message of His Holiness Pope Francis
Photo Gallery

 
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
 

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Pope Francis' trip to DRC and South Sudan:  January 31 - February 5, 2023

Full video, with English commentary, at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/pope-francis-drcongo-young-people-catechists.html
Pope to DRC youth: ‘A different future is in your hands’
02 February 2023, 10:33

Pope Francis meets with young people and catechists from across the Democratic Republic of Congo, and urges them never to grow discouraged in their quest to resist corruption.
By Devin Watkins

On the third day of his Apostolic Journey to the DRC, Pope Francis held a lively encounter with young people and the local Church’s catechists.

The meeting took place in the Martyr’s Stadium in Kinshasa on Thursday morning, and the Pope thanked the Congolese youth for their shows of affection and dancing.

In his address, the Holy Father invited the young people of the Democratic Republic of Congo to look at their hands and reflected on how each finger represents a different “ingredient for the future”.

First of all, he noted, no one’s hands are the same as anyone else’s, just as each person is a unique and unrepeatable treasure. At the same time, each of us have to choose whether to clench our hand into a fist or to open it in an offering to God and others.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253529/pope-francis-to-congolese-youth-prayer-is-your-secret-weapon-for-peace
Pope Francis to Congolese youth: Prayer is your secret weapon for peace
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Feb 2, 2023 / 05:45 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/february.index.html
Speeches 2023 February
Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo: Meeting with Young People and Catechists in Martyrs’ Stadium (Kinshasa, 2nd February 2023)

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Pope Francis' trip to DRC and South Sudan:  January 31 - February 5, 2023

Full video, with English commentary, at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/pope-to-clergy-and-religious-in-dr-congo-the-church-needs-you.html
Pope to clergy and religious in DR Congo: The Church needs you!
02 February 2023, 15:07

Pope Francis encourages priests, deacons, consecrated persons and seminarians to put Christ at the centre of their lives and to be joyful witnesses of the Gospel.
By Christopher Wells

On the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Pope Francis met with priests, deacons, consecrated persons, and seminarians in Kinshasa’s Cathedral of Our Lady of the Congo.

Reflecting on the encounter between Simeon and the Christ Child, which is commemorated in the feast, the Holy Father drew out the lesson: “When we place Jesus at the centre of our lives, our outlook changes, and despite all our efforts and difficulties, we feel enveloped by His light, comforted by His Spirit, encouraged by His Word, and sustained by His love.”

He reminded those with religious vocations that, despite “enormous challenges,” there is nonetheless “great joy in the service of the Gospel.” Clergy and religious, the Pope said, are called to be witnesses of God’s love, by anointing His people today “with the balm of consolation and hope.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253533/pope-francis-to-priests-in-congo-bring-people-jesus-who-heals-the-wounds-of-every-heart
Pope Francis to priests in Congo: Bring people Jesus, who ‘heals the wounds of every heart’
By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, Feb 2, 2023 / 10:30 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/february.index.html
Speeches 2023 February
Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo: Prayer Meeting with Priests, Deacons, Consecrated Persons and Seminarians in the Cathedral “Notre Dame du Congo” (Kinshasa, 2nd February 2023)

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Pope Francis' trip to DRC and South Sudan:  January 31 - February 5, 2023

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/travels/2023/outside/documents/congo-sudsudan-2023.html
APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
TO THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO AND SOUTH SUDAN
(ECUMENICAL PEACE PILGRIMAGE TO SOUTH SUDAN)
31 JANUARY - 5 FEBRUARY 2023

Multimedia
Missal for the Apostolic Journey
Message of His Holiness Pope Francis
Photo Gallery

 
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
 

[grace-land]

Pope Francis' trip to DRC and South Sudan:  January 31 - February 5, 2023

Full video, with English commentary, at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/pope-francis-apostolic-journey-drcongo-bishops-cenco.html
Pope to DRC Bishops: Be prophets of reconciliation and peace
03 February 2023, 09:11

Pope Francis meets with the Catholic Bishops of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and urges them to recall that God is close to them in their ministry to be prophets for the Congolese people.
By Devin Watkins

On the fourth and final day of his Apostolic Journey to the DRC, Pope Francis met with the country’s Bishops at the headquarters of the National Bishops’ Conference (CENCO).

In his address, the Pope apologized for making the Bishops prepare twice for his visit, since he was originally scheduled to visit in July 2022.

He also spoke to them about their mission to build up the Congolese people’s faith and to protect “the beauty of Creation” in the vastness of DR Congo’s verdant forest.

The local Church, he added, also suffers with her people in their trials, as well as rejoicing their joys.

“I see Jesus suffering in the history of this people, crucified and oppressed, devastated by ruthless violence, marred by innocent suffering, forced to live with the tainted waters of corruption and injustice that pollute society, and to suffer poverty in so many of its children.”
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253541/pope-francis-congolese-catholics-are-a-lung-for-the-universal-church
Pope Francis: Congolese Catholics are ‘a lung’ for the universal Church
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Feb 3, 2023 / 03:20 am

https://cruxnow.com/pope-in-south-sudan-congo/2023/02/pope-extols-romero-of-africa-as-role-model-for-congos-bishops
Pope extols ‘Romero of Africa’ as role model for Congo’s bishops
By Elise Ann Allen
Feb 3, 2023

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/february.index.html
Speeches 2023 February
Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo: Meeting with Bishops at CENCO (Kinshasa, 3rd February 2023)

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Pope Francis' trip to DRC and South Sudan:  January 31 - February 5, 2023

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/pope-francis-departs-the-democratic-republic-of-congo.html
Pope Francis bids farewell to Democratic Republic of Congo
03 February 2023, 10:50

Pope Francis concludes his Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo, as he boards his the papal plane bound for his long-awaited ecumenical pilgrimage in South Sudan.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis has bid farewell to the Democratic Republic of Congo, marking the end of the first leg of his two-nation 40th Apostolic Journey abroad.

The Pope's flight departed from the “Ndjili” International Airport in the DRC's capital of Kinshasa on Friday at 10:49 AM local time.
It was carrying the Pope and more than 70 journalists.

The Holy Father visited the DRC from 31 January to 3 February, following in the footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II, who visited the Central African nation in 1980 and 1985.
 

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/fighting-kills-27-as-pope-heads-to-south-sudan.html
Fighting kills 27 as Pope Francis heads to South Sudan
03 February 2023, 10:55

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Pope Francis' trip to DRC and South Sudan:  January 31 - February 5, 2023

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/pope-francis-departs-the-democratic-republic-of-congo1.html
Pope Francis arrives in South Sudan for 'ecumenical pilgrimage'
03 February 2023, 13:58

After bidding farewell to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pope Francis' flight lands in Juba for his long-awaited "ecumenical pilgrimage" for peace to South Sudan with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Iain Greenshields.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis has arrived in South Sudan, where he is embarking upon an ecumenical pilgrimage.

The Pope's flight landed at Juba International Airport at 2:45 PM local time.

The plane had departed from the “Ndjili” International Airport in the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital of Kinshasa at 10:39 AM local time, carrying the Holy Father and more than 70 journalists.

The Pope's farewell to the Democratic Republic of Congo, marked the end of the first leg of his two-nation, 40th, Apostolic Journey abroad, and his fifth Journey to Africa.

Pope Francis visited the DRC from 31 January to 3 February, following in the footsteps of Pope St. John Paul II, who visited there in 1980 and 1985.

Much-desired ecumenical pilgrimage
The Pope will spend three days in South Sudan on an ecumenical pilgrimage for peace with the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

For years, Pope Francis has expressed his strong desire to travel to predominantly-Christian South Sudan, but the unstable situation in the country, along with the pandemic, complicated plans for a visit.

In April 2019, the Pope hosted a spiritual retreat in the Vatican for the political leaders and ecclesiastical authorities of South Sudan.

At the retreat in the Casa Santa Marta, he knelt at their feet and begged them to work for peace and to be worthy fathers of their nation.
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253542/pope-francis-lands-in-south-sudan-fulfilling-yearslong-dream-of-visit-to-war-torn-country
Pope Francis lands in South Sudan, fulfilling yearslong dream of visit to war-torn country
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Feb 3, 2023 / 07:37 am

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Pope Francis' trip to DRC and South Sudan:  January 31 - February 5, 2023

Video at the link...

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253531/who-is-salva-kiir-who-is-meeting-with-pope-francis-on-friday
The pope kissed his feet. Who is the cowboy-hat-wearing president of South Sudan?
By Jonah McKeown
St. Louis, Mo., Feb 2, 2023 / 09:23 am

Pope Francis greets South Sudanese president Salva Kiir at the Vatican, April 11, 2019. | Vatican Media

Pope Francis, as part of his visit to Africa this week, is meeting with the president of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, this Friday. He will meet the leader for a photograph before retreating to a private setting for a talk.

The 71-year-old Kiir, a Catholic who has served as South Sudan’s first and only president since the country gained independence in 2011, oversees a country that is slightly smaller than Texas, 60% Christian, and severely underdeveloped and racked by ethnic tensions.

Pope Francis and Kiir met in 2019 in a meeting that was extremely memorable because of Pope Francis’ decision to kneel and kiss Kiir’s feet — and those of his rival, former vice president Riek Machar — while begging the leaders to make peace. Kiir and Machar were at the Vatican for a retreat, which Francis hosted specifically for the leaders who have been at war with each other for years. In 2013, a conflict developed between militias led by Machar and troops loyal to Kiir, who are of different tribal ethnicities.
 

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Pope Francis' trip to DRC and South Sudan:  January 31 - February 5, 2023

Full video, with English commentary, at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-02/pope-south-sudan-address-authorities-juba-corruption-violence.html
Pope appeals to South Sudan’s leaders to halt the bloodshed
03 February 2023, 17:31

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope.html

Pope Francis tells the leaders of South Sudan that future generations will either venerate their names or cancel their memory, based on what they do now, and he issues an appeal “to leave the time of war behind and let a time of peace dawn.”
By Linda Bordoni  

In his first official discourse after landing in South Sudan’s capital city, Pope Francis issued an appeal for peace and reminded those in power that their purpose is to serve the community.

Addressing the nation’s Authorities, Civil Society and Diplomatic Corps at the Presidential Palace of Juba on Friday afternoon, shortly after his arrival in the ravaged East African nation, the Pope reminded them he has come “as a pilgrim of reconciliation, in the hope of accompanying you on your journey of peace.”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2023-02/south-sudan-president-suspension-peace-talks.html
President of South Sudan lifts suspension on Peace Talks
03 February 2023, 17:33

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-02/ecumenical-pilgrimage-peace-south-sudan-pope-welby-greenshields.html
Ecumenical leaders tell South Sudan’s rulers to act for peace now
03 February 2023, 18:47

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/february.index.html
Speeches 2023 February
Apostolic Journey to South Sudan: Meeting with Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps in the garden of the Presidential Palace (Juba, 3rd February 2023)

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253546/no-more-bloodshed-pope-francis-begs-south-sudan-s-leaders
‘No more bloodshed,’ Pope Francis begs South Sudan’s leaders
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Feb 3, 2023 / 11:36 am

https://cruxnow.com/pope-in-south-sudan-congo/2023/02/in-blunt-opening-salvo-pope-tells-south-sudan-leaders-to-get-serious-about-peace
In blunt opening salvo, Pope tells South Sudan leaders to get serious about peace
By Elise Ann Allen
Feb 3, 2023