Pope Francis will make the 40th international trip of his pontificate Jan. 31-Feb. 5, traveling first to Congo and then making an ecumenical pilgrimage to South Sudan with leaders of the Anglican and Presbyterian communities. Both African countries continue to experience horrific violence, which have driven millions of people from their homes and exacerbated poverty in countries rich in natural resources.
Pope Francis' fifth trip to the African continent will highlight gestures of peace and reconciliation, consoling the victims of violence but also emphasizing the importance of each person sowing peace in the family, the neighborhood and the nation.
Pope Francis' fifth trip to the African continent will highlight gestures of peace and reconciliation, consoling the victims of violence but also emphasizing the importance of each person sowing peace in the family, the neighborhood and the nation.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) Pope Francis fifth trip to the African continent will highlight gestures of peace and reconciliation, consoling the victims of violence but also emphasizing the importance of each person sowing peace in the family, the neighborhood and the nation.
The pope is scheduled to travel to Kinshasa, Congo, Jan. 31-Feb. 3 before making an ecumenical pilgrimage to Juba, South Sudan, Feb. 3-5 with Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury and the Rev. Iain Greenshields, moderat