Pope Francis’ plane leaves DR. Congo heading to South Sudan

KINSHASA, FEBRUARY 3^rd (SUDANS POST) – Pope Francis has just left Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) heading to South Sudan where he will meet government officials including President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

Francis is scheduled to land in Juba at 3:00 pm (1300 GMT), in the first visit to South Sudan by a pope since the predominantly Christian nation gained independence from Muslim-majority Sudan in 2011 after decades of bloody struggle.

Peace has eluded South Sudan in statehood too, with a deadly civil war leaving at least 400,000 people dead and more than four millions displaced, within the country and to neighboring countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Sudan.

The 86-year-old is expected to meet victims of the conflict, as well as the country’s political and church leaders, between prayers and an outdoor mass that is expected to draw large crowds.