Pope Francis leaves Democratic Republic of Congo, bound for South Sudan

Pope Francis waves at people before his meeting with Roman Catholic bishops at CENCO (National Episcopal Conference of Congo), during his apostolic journey, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo February 3, 2023. REUTERS/Yara Nardi

Pope Francis flew out of Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday, heading for neighbouring South Sudan, where he will remain until Sunday.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Church of Scotland Moderator, Iain Greenshields, will be with him during the South Sudan leg of his journey, an unprecedented joint "pilgrimage of peace" by the three Christian leaders.

(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Writing by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Alexander Winning)