#BreakingNews Pope Francis Arrives Safely in Africa's Congo and is Warmly Welcomed with Flowers from Children - VIDEO

Pope Francis has arrived safely in the Democratic Republic of Congo, beginning his 40th Apostolic Journey abroad and his fifth Journey to Africa.

The papal plane landed at the “Ndjili” International Airport in the DRC's capital of Kinshasa at 2:33 PM local time.

The ITA-Airways papal flight had left Rome's Fiumicino International Airport at 8:29 AM local time Tuesday morning, carrying the Pope and more than 70 journalists. 

The Holy Father visits DRC nation from 31 January to 3 February, just as Pope St. John Paul II, who visited there in 1980 and 1985. 

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Fifth visit to African continent

Pope Francis visit to the African nations of South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) marks his 40th Apostolic Journey abroad, and fifth, to Africa.

In Kinshasa, the Pope was warmly received by a welcoming ceremony, including children who presented him flowers.

The Pope then pays a courtesy visit to President Felix Tshisekedi, and address the country's authorities, civil society, and diplomatic corps.

At the end of this Journey on Sunday, marking the Pope Francis' fifth visit to Africa, he will have visited 60 countries since the start of his pontificate.

In 2015, he went to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic, and in 2017 visited Egypt. Then, in March 2019, he made an Apostolic Journey to Morocco, and later to Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius in September 2019.

This visit to DRC and South Sudan was originally scheduled for July 2022, but cancelled due to intense knee pain.

At the time, the Holy Father sent the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to both countries on his behalf.

Some 20% of the world’s Catholic live on the African continent, and that percentage is increasing.

Edited from Vatican News