Pope Francis looks on during an exclusive interview with Reuters, at the Vatican, July 2, 2022. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

Pope Francis is set to embark on what could be his busiest year ever in 2023, starting with a trip to the conflict-affected Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan from January 31 to February 5.

The visit was postponed in July last year due to the pope’s knee ailments.

However, the pontiff who turned 86 in December 2022 will begin the ecumenical trip alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

Despite the knee problem, he can now move efficiently in a wheelchair.

The Vatican News quotes the pope as having said in several interviews that “a functioning head and heart – not a well-functioning knee – are essential to the exercise of the papacy.”

Ahead of the approaching ecumenical peace pilgrimage, both authorities in Juba and Kinshasa have ramped up security and clean-up campaigns – including paving roads and getting ride of old cars.

A Vatican diplomat said recently, that the main purpose of Pope Francis’ visit is “to awaken faith in those who do not have it and to strengthen the joy of those who do.”

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Vatican Charge De’ Affaires in Juba  Monsignor Ionut Paul appealed to South Sudanese to forgive one another and reconcile ahead of the papal visit.

Paul also asked for unity among the people of South Sudan.

“We have to prepare that the message of the holy farther reaches us, and this is very important as we only have two weeks left to prepare ourselves for his coming, in a spiritual way,” Paul told Eye Radio.

He further encourages the citizens to build peace in the communities, saying this is the only way to bring stability to the country.

“Making peace in our family, making peace with our neighbors, making peace with the people around us, because only through people of peace, peace will come to this country and the blessing of the Holy Father pope Francis and the blessing of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the moderator of the Church of Scotland will reach us truly.”

While in Kinshasa DRC, the pope will meet with the country’s authorities, victims of the conflict in the eastern part of the country and representatives of charitable organizations.

In Juba, he will also meet with government officials including President Salva Kiir and his deputies, religious leaders, civil society and internally displaced persons.

Other schedules of Pope Francis

Pope Francis is also set to celebrate his 10th anniversary as pope March 13. The Argentinian became pontiff following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013.

The pope is also scheduled to join at least 1 million young people from around the globe for World Youth Day August 1-6 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Also from October 4-29, he will will attend the first session of the world Synod of Bishops meeting on “synodality” at the Vatican.

Pope Francis has on several occasions called for an end to the war in Ukraine, and reportedly says his constant pleas for peace in eastern Europe will not end until the war does.