(ANSA) - VATICAN CITY, DECEMBER 01 - The Pope is keeping his promise and has announced that he will travel to Africa at the beginning of next year.
The countries of destination are the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, and the Pontiff will be in the two countries from 31 January to 5 February (in the Congo from 31 January to 3 February, and in South Sudan from 3 to 5).
The Pontiff had announced this trip for the month of July this year, from 2 to 7, but then decided to postpone it due to knee problems.
The program for the trip to Africa follows what had already been put on the agenda for the July trip.
Only the stage of Goma is missing and some adjustments are made on the places of the events.
For example, some will take place directly at the Apostolic Nunciature to limit the movements of the Pope who is much better off, compared to last summer when he decided to cancel the visit, but who in fact still uses a cane and a wheelchair to get around.
As regards South Sudan in particular, the ecumenical nature of the visit that Pope Francis will carry out together with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Iain Greenshields, is confirmed.
Together the three religious leaders have always supported the peace process in the country.
(HANDLE).