© AP – Andrew Medici
Pope Francis is expected in the DRC in July 2022 (Illustration image).
Pope Francis is expected in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan from July 2-7. For the DRC stage, he will travel to Kinshasa, the capital, and Goma, in the province of North Kivu. For the past few weeks, meetings have multiplied to prepare for this much-awaited visit.
With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Patient Ligodi
Aboard his popemobile, Pope Francis should cross the megalopolis of Kinshasa to the Palace of the Nation where the offices of the Head of State are located. It is there that he will hold his first speech in front of officials, the diplomatic corps and civil society. A two-hour Eucharistic celebration is also planned the next day at the Ndolo airport site, which will be closed during this period.
But at this stage, some concerns begin to arise given that the work has not yet started. For its part, the government ensures that everything will be ready before D-Day.
Excitement in the preparations for his visit
After the capital, the pope will fly to Goma. A priori, over there, not too many concerns. Work is progressing on the land of Kibumba, on the outskirts of Goma, rejoices Cardinal Ambongo. The Holy Father will lead a mass before meeting the victims of violence in this part of the country.
This program is still provisional, it might be modified according to the evolution of the state of health of the pope, specifies the Church. A little more than two months before this visit, the religious authorities are already in the fever of the event. Preparatory meetings are multiplying between the Church and the authorities of the country. A fundraiser has been launched by the religious, even if most of the means will come from the government.
