Afrigather Pope Francis has rescheduled his delayed journey to Congo and South Sudan for Jan. 31-Feb. 5, slicing out a cease in Congo’s conflict-ravaged east however fulfilling a years-long want to accompany different Christian leaders to the younger nation of South Sudan.
The Vatican on Thursday (December 1) revealed the itinerary of the journey, which had initially been scheduled for final July however was postponed as a result of Francis was present process remedy for his strained knee ligaments.
The 85-year-old Francis remains to be utilizing a wheelchair however has made different international journeys within the meantime, suggesting that he can undergo with even difficult itineraries.
The brand new itinerary roughly matches the unique, with one vital exception: Initially the pope had deliberate to have a good time Mass within the jap Congolese metropolis of Goma en path to South Sudan. Now, Francis will meet within the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, with a delegation of devoted and “victims” from Goma.
Tens of 1000’s of Congolese have been displaced, with many heading towards Goma, amid renewed clashes between authorities troopers and M23 rebels in Congo’s mineral-rich east. A cease-fire to finish the most recent spherical of combating was supposed to enter impact final week.
After the Congo leg of the journey Jan. 31-Feb. 2, Francis can be joined by the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the moderator of the Basic Meeting of the Church of Scotland, the Proper Rev. Iain Greenshields, for a first-ever ecumenical peace journey by the leaders of the three Christian church buildings, to Juba, South Sudan, from Feb. 3-5.
There, the three will have a good time an ecumenical prayer service collectively, and meet with displaced South Sudanese.
The go to seeks to spice up a 2018 settlement geared toward ending the civil battle. It has been within the works for years, however has been repeatedly postponed due to the safety scenario on the bottom, after which in July due to Francis’ well being.
