The Pope will be visiting Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the country’s eastern city of Goma in July.
His four-day visit to DR Congo will be followed by a two-day trip to South Sudan’s capital, Juba. He will be in the world’s newest country as it marks the 11th anniversary of its independence from Sudan.
Both countries have large Roman Catholic congregations. They are also plagued by violence.
Pope Francis has made several visits to Africa since he became the pontiff in 2013.
