In July, Pope Francis will visit the DRC and South Sudan. The sovereign pontiff should deliver strong speeches against violence and in favor of peace.
Three years after having made an African tour – which had passed through Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius – Pope Francis will be on the continent again next summer. Indeed, the sovereign pontiff will visit the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan first, between July 2 and 7.
During his traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing for Easter, Pope Francis spoke extensively about the situation in Africa. He had called for "that Ethiopia, struck by a serious humanitarian crisis, find the path of dialogue and reconciliation, and that the violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo cease". The religious also had a thought for the South African populations, "affected by devastating floods", and for Libya.
More generally, Pope Francis had called for peace in Africa: "May there be peace for the whole African continent, so that the exploitation of which it is victim and the haemorrhage caused by terrorist attacks, in particular in the Sahel zone, that he finds concrete support in the brotherhood of peoples, "he said to the faithful gathered in front of his balcony.
Congo-Brazzaville in 2023
It was at the invitation of the Congolese and South Sudanese heads of state, as well as local bishops, that the sovereign pontiff decided to go to Kinshasa, Goma and Juba. "The pope is coming to revive the hope of the Congolese people, who need peace, security and well-being," said Bishop Marcel Utembi Tapa, president of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (Cenco). Kinshasa had not seen a pope since John Paul II in August 1985.
As for South Sudan, it is the first time since its creation eleven years ago that this country will welcome a sovereign pontiff. The Vatican wants to play a role of mediator in South Sudan, where the violence does not stop.
Africa will therefore be at the heart of Pope Francis' concerns in the coming months. Since he was named pope in 2013, he has already visited Africa four times, from Kenya to Uganda, via the Central African Republic, Egypt or even Morocco, Mozambique, Madagascar and Maurice.
An apostolic journey of symbolic importance, since it is the second of the year 2022.
In 2023, the pope should also visit Congo-Brazzaville. He will then come to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the installation of the first Catholic mission in this Central African country and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Congo and the Vatican.