The pope will be visiting the two countries between 31 January and 5 February, according to a statement from the Vatican.

He will be accompanied by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in South Sudan where he will spend the last two days of his trip, it said.

The pope’s trip to the two countries had initially been scheduled for July this year but was cancelled because of his health problems.

He will be hosted by the presidents of the two states and will also meet bishops, other clergy and members of the civil society in both countries. In South Sudan, he is also expected to meet internally displaced people.