The Vatican embassy in Juba has announced that, His Holiness Pope Francis is coming to South Sudan for the Ecumenical pilgrimage of peace to South Sudan on 3rd to 5th February next year.
The announcement was made at the South Sudan Council of Churches in Juba on Thursday.
The Vatican Charge De Affaires in South Sudan, Monsignor Ionut Paul says, the Holy Father is coming together with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland after their apostolic visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“Accepting the invitation of their respective Heads of State and Bishops, His Holiness Pope Francis will make the announced Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo from 31 January to 3 February 2023, visiting the city of Kinshasa, and, together with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Ecumenical Pilgrimage of Peace to Juba, South Sudan, from 3 to 5 February next.”
According to Monsignor Ionut, The Holy Father is expected to meet the Presidency, Authorities, Diplomatic corps and Civil society at the President’s palace and in the Garden of the presidential palace upon arrival on Friday 3rd February.
He is then expected to meet Bishops, Priest, Deacons, Consecrated persons and seminarians in the cathedral of Saint Theresa- Kator on Saturday the 4th February.
The Holy Father will hold a private meeting with Members of the Society of Jesus before meeting internally Displaced persons and holding ecumenical Prayers at Dr. John Garang Mausoleum later that day
On Sunday the 5th , the Holy Father will lead a Holy Mass at the Dr. John Garang Mausoleum where huge numbers of people in all categories are expected to attend before he departs to Rome after the Mass.
Monsignor Ionut announced that, Pope Francis will not visit other states and IDPs camp due to his health condition as he will be using a wheel chair.
Members of the South Sudan Council of Churches whole heartedly welcomed the announcement and urged the faithful to pray and be resilient to make the visit a success.
The Minister of Presidential Affairs, Dr, Barnaba Mariel said, the coming of the Holy Father in South Sudan is great news for the country to strengthens the peace process.
Marial promised that government will do all it can to continue with renovation of church infrastructure.
Pope Francis was expected to visit South Sudan in July this year but the Apostolic Journey was delay due to his health condition.
The communication was announced by Vatican Embassy in present of Archbishop of Juba, Dr. Stephen Ameyu Mula, Members of the South Sudan Council of Churches and the Minister of Presidential Affairs Dr. Banaba Marial Benjamin.
South Sudan’s schedule for Pope visit.
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
Saturday, 4 February 2023
JUBA
09:00 MEETING WITH BISHOPS, PRIESTS, DEACONS, CONSECRATED PERSONS AND SEMINARIANS in the Cathedral of Saint Therese
11:00 PRIVATE MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS at the Apostolic Nunciature
16:30 MEETING WITH INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS in the “Freedom Hall”
18:00 ECUMENICAL PRAYER at “John Garang” Mausoleum
Sunday, 5 February 2023
JUBA – ROME
08:45 HOLY MASS at “John Garang” Mausoleum
11:00 FAREWELL CEREMONY at Juba International Airport
11:30 Departure by airplane from Juba International Airport to Rome
17:30 Arrival at Rome Fiumicino International Airport