VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis is set to make a gruelling trip to two African countries in July despite knee problems that have forced him to use a cane and wheelchair in recent weeks.
The 85-year-old pope has been undergoing treatment for knee pain, believed to be caused by a torn ligament. Francis will spend four days in the Democratic Republic of Congo, visiting the capital Kinshasa and Goma in the restive eastern region.The government has declared a state of siege and placed some provinces under martial law to tackle armed groups carrying out attacks in the region. They include Islamic State-linked ADF.The Jul 5 to Jul 7 stop in Juba, capital of South Sudan, is a visit that has repeatedly been delayed because of security concerns.
July marks the 11th anniversary of South Sudan's secession from Sudan. Civil war erupted two years later in 2013, causing 400,000 deaths. The two main sides signed a peace deal in 2018 but hunger and deadly clashes are still common across the world's youngest country.