Vatican City: The Vatican has announced the upcoming liturgical celebrations presided over by Pope Francis in January and February.

The release of the calendar of the Pope’s celebrations was made through the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Ceremonies, Monsignor Diego Ravelli. The next announced celebration will be on January 22nd. Pope Francis will celebrate Sunday Mass on the third Sunday in Ordinary Time, also known as the Sunday of the Word, in St. Peter’s Basilica at 9:30 am.

On January 25, the Solemnity of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, the Pope will preside over the celebration of the Second Vespers in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. The celebration coincides with the end of the week of prayer for Christian Unity and will be attended by members of other Christian denominations.

Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan

From January 31 to February 5, Pope Francis will travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. Entitled the “Ecumenical Pilgrimage of Peace”, the trip was scheduled for July 2022, but had to be canceled due to his health.

During the trip, Pope Francis is planning to celebrate Mass at Ndolo airport, in Kinshasa, in the DRC capital, on February 1st. The following day, the Pope will meet with priests, deacons, religious men and women for a common prayer in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Congo.

On February 4, the Pope will be present at an ecumenical prayer in Juba in South Sudan. The prayer will take place at the Mausoleum of John Garang. The following day, February 5, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass in the same place, this will be the last event of his apostolic journey.