VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis will visit the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan in July, said Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, in an official announcement Thursday.

 On his 37th apostolic visit to the two African countries, the pope will first fly to the DRC, and stay in the cities of Kinshasa and Goma from July 2 to 5. He will travel to South Sudan on July 5, staying in the city of Juba until July 7.

 The programme and further details of the journey will be announced in due course.

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