Despite Pope Francis’ health issues, he will still make the July 2-7 trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, the Vatican has said in a statement.
The 85-year-old pope’s knee problems believed to be caused by a torn ligament have forced him to use a cane and wheelchair in recent weeks. He is reported to have been undergoing treatment for the knee pain.
There had been speculation the pope’s visit to Africa might be postponed.
According to the Vatican, Francis will be in South Sudan from July 5-7 after visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo July 2-5 on the same trip. While in South Sudan, he will visit the capital, Juba, and in the DRC he will visit Kinshasa and Goma, TOS NEWS reported.
July will mark the 11th anniversary of South Sudan’s secession from Sudan. Civil war erupted two years later in 2013, causing 400,000 deaths.
