Photos: Pope Francis lands in South Sudan

(From left on red carpet) The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Pope Francis, President of South Sudan Salva Kiir and Iain Greenshields from Church of Scotland pose for a photograph at the Presidential Palace in Juba, South Sudan, on February 3, 2023.

Pope Francis receives flowers as he arrives at Juba International Airport Pope Francis arrived in South Sudan on Friday for the second and final leg of his African pilgrimage, planning to encourage the young country’s stalled peace process and to draw international attention to the continued fighting there.

People gather to welcome Pope Francis as he arrives at the Juba International Airport for his apostolic journey, in Juba, South Sudan.

South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir, greeted Francis at the international airport in Juba, the capital, as a crowd of thousands nearby undulated and sang in 96-degree Fahrenheit (35.5-degree Celsius) heat.

The airport road was full of Christians, Muslims and traditional dancers. Some wore T-shirts with a portrait of the pope.

Attendees wearing shirts with a picture of Pope Francis on, cheer ahead of his arrival at the Juba International Airport in Juba, South Sudan, on February 3, 2023.

In a first, the pope will be accompanied during his time in South Sudan by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, leader of the global Anglican Communion, and by Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

South Sudanese traditional dancers prepare to welcome Pope Francis during his visit in Juba, South Sudan February 3, 2023.

A South Sudanese nun reacts as she welcomes Pope Francis during his visit in Juba, South Sudan February 3, 2023.

Members of the Guard of Honor wait to welcome Pope Francis upon his arrival at the Juba International Airport in Juba, South Sudan.