Pope`s first trip to Mongolia may be later in 2023

RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – Pope Francis, the world catholic church leader, is possibly visiting Mongolia later in 2023.

Pope Francis, as AP reported, said Sunday he is planning to visit India next year.

Francis outlined his upcoming travel schedule during his flight back to Rome from South Sudan.

He confirmed that he would be in Lisbon, Portugal for World Youth Day the first week of August and would participate in a Sept. 23 meeting of Mediterranean bishops in Marseille, France.

He said there was “the possibility” that he would fly from Marseille to Mongolia, which would be a first for a pope.

Looking further ahead, Francis said he thought he would visit India in 2024, after plans for a trip in 2017 fell apart.

Francis spoke to reporters after a six-day visit to Congo and South Sudan.

Pope in his visit to Sudan pushed South Sudan’s political leaders to make progress on implementing a stalled 2018 peace accord that ended a civil war following the country’s 2011 independence from Sudan.