The Vatican has postponed the visit of Pope Francis together with Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to South Sudan late October this year.
Vatican spokesman Greg Burke told journalists that the trip is ‘not for this year’, but did not mention when it might take place.
Postponement of the visit was due to security concerns.
Rome’s daily newspaper reported on May 29 that the Pope made the decision ‘after the information coming to his desk left him with few alternatives’.
Vatican officials visited Juba on May 16 and 17 to assess security situation for the possibility of the visit of the Holy Father.
One of the officials for the preparations of the visit of Pope Francis said the Pontiff was told the security concerns it would not be possible for him to leave Juba airport.
The Holy Father believes that if he made a visit only to the airport it would present a bad symbol to the country.
Vatican confirmed papal trip abroad for 2017 is a visit to Colombia on September 6-11.
There is also discussion of a possible visit to India and Bangladesh.