Pope Francis has announced that on Tuesday he will begin his visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
The Apostolic Journey is aimed at taking a message of reconciliation and peace to the countries, which have been plagued by civil unrest.
The Pope invited everyone to pray for the six-day mission, which starts on January 31 to February 5.
"I greet with affection those beloved peoples who await me," Pope Francis said in a tweet.
"I ask everyone, please, to accompany this Journey with their prayers."
This will be Pope Francis's 40th Apostolic Journey abroad.
The Vatican has said the theme of non-denominational dialogue will underpin the visit.
"...He travels to South Sudan with the leaders of two other Christian denominations," it added.
He is expected to arrive at Kinsasha Airport in DRC tomorrow (Tuesday) and depart for Juba, South Sudan on Friday, February 3.
"The Holy Father is making the Journey to South Sudan together with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland," the Vatican said.
