​Pope Francis has finally confirmed the date for his planned visit to South Sudan.

The head of the catholic will personally visit Juba in February 2023, the same month that the current term of the transitional government is expected to end.

The Pope sent a representative in July after his foiled trip to DR Congo and South Sudan.

The Pope’s trip was aborted after his personal doctors advised him against making long trips as he recovered from a broken limb.

In a virtual dialogue with African Catholic students on Tuesday, Pope Francis said that his health had improved significantly and revealed that he had started to move around much more easily.

“The doctor banned me (from going) but today I am able to walk — using a stick, but I can do it,” Francis said in a video call with African students.

Pope has been confined to a wheelchair by a knee injury sustained sometime back. He also suffers from hip problems and in July 2021 underwent a colon operation.

A trip to Lebanon in June was also called off for health reasons, although the Pope was allowed to travel to Canada in July and Kazakhstan later in September.

Edmund Yakani, a civil activist said the timing of the Papal visit to the country is significant adding that it will influence the political landscape as the push for lasting peace in South Sudan.

“Remember the Kiss of the Pope for Peace,” Yakani said.

He urged the presidency to improve their political commitment to implementing the pending tasks of the R-ARCSS; otherwise, they will not have any positive stories to tell the Pope.

The term of the current transitional government will end in February paving the way for another 24 months that should culminate with the national elections that are expected to bring in a new regime.

AE News