By Ginaba Lino – Juba
The Vatican Embassy in Juba on Thursday announced the official visit of Pope Francis to South Sudan for the first time.
Monsignor Ionut Paul Strejac, Charge De Affaires of Vatican Embassy in Juba, revealed that the Holy Father’s Apostolic journey to Juba will start from 5th to 7th July 2022 after visiting Democratic Republic of Congo from 2nd to 5th July 2022.
He explained that the program for the arrangement for the Holy Father will be announced as soon as possible.
Archbishop of Juba Stephen Ameyu Martin said the visit of the Pope is because the Catholic Church leader is concerned with lives of all people of South Sudan.
He said the pope apostolic trip to Juba is also because he is in solidarity with the people of this country.
Minister in the office of the President, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, expressed government’s gratitude to the Vatican embassy for announcing the visit of the Holy Father to the country.
He reiterated that the government and people very happy to hear that Pope Francis is ready to visit the country this year.
He promised that the government of South Sudan is willing to cooperate with the Church leadership and the Vatican to see that the visit is successful.
The announcement was made on Thursday at South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat in Juba.