On February 4, 2023, Pope Francis met with clergy, religious and seminarians in the Cathedral of Saint Therese in Juba, South Sudan. In his address, he reflected on the example of Moses as intercessor and prophet, and said that Church leaders “must exercise our ministry by walking in the midst of and alongside our people, learning to ...read more

Pope Francis began his Apostolic Visit to South Sudan on February 3. The Holy Father, with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, met with the President, Vice-Presidents, authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps of the young country. He said that this “ecumenical pilgrimage of peace represents a change ...read more

On February 3, 2023, Pope Francis met with CENCO, the episcopal conference of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In his address, he encouraged his brother Bishops to “be touched and consoled by the closeness of God” and “be prophets of hope for the people.” Read the full text of his address below: Meeting with Bishops Address ...read more

On February 2, 2023, Pope Francis participated in a prayer meeting with clergy, religious, and seminarians in Notre Dame du Congo Cathedral. In his address, he reflected on three challenges that clergy and religious are called to overcome: “spiritual mediocrity, the temptation of worldly comfort, and the temptation to superficiality.” He said that the ordained ...read more

On February 2, 2023, the third day of his Apostolic Visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pope Francis heard from and responded to young people and catechists in Martyrs’ Stadium. He encouraged listeners to incorporate five “ingredients for the future” in their lives today: “prayer, community, honesty, forgiveness, and service.” Read the full ...read more

Pope Francis continued meeting at the Apostolic Nunciature in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on February 1. In his address to representatives of charitable organizations, he spoke about how the representatives embrace and encourage the poor.  Read the full text of the pope’s address below:  Meeting with representatives from charities Address of His Holiness ...read more

At the Apostolic Nunciature in Kinshasa on February 1, Pope Francis heard and responded to the stories of victims of violence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He encouraged listeners to “say no to violence” and “no to resignation,” to “demilitarize their hearts,” and “say yes to peace” and “yes ...read more

On Wednesday, February 1, the second day of his visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pope Francis gave the homily at Holy Mass at Ndolo Airport in Kinshasa. Read the full text of his homily below:   Homily of His Holiness “Ndolo” Airport (Kinshasa) Wednesday, 1 February 2023   Bandeko, bobóto [Brothers and sisters, ...read more

On January 31, the first day of his apostolic visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Pope Francis gave an address to the president, members of government, diplomatic corps, and religious and civil authorities.  Read the full text of his address below:   Meeting with Authorities and Diplomatic Corps Address of His Holiness ...read more

It was April 11, 2019, in a library at Casa Santa Marta – the Pope’s own home. Selva Kiir, the Catholic president of South Sudan, stood next to Riek Machar, his incoming vice president, as well as other South Sudanese civil leaders. They were surrounded by Catholic, Anglican, and Presbyterian leaders from their country and ...read more