British Archbishop Paul Gallagher, a top papal aide, traveled to South Sudan right before Christmas, meeting with top civil and ecclesial leaders in a visit that could be setting the stage for the long-awaited visit of Pope Francis. Speaking to Vatican News, the Vatican's official information platform, Gallagher said, "There is no perfect time for any such visit," and the possibility of a papal visit next year is being considered. "We believe that there is great support for a visit. Though like all these things, there is never the perfect time – so we have to move forward in the whole process of discerning," he said. (https://cruxnow.com/church-in-africa/2021/12/top-vatican-diplomat-visit-south-sudan-says-pope-could-visit-in-2022) Gallagher, who serves as the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States, visited South Sudan in a visit many observers believe was to lay the groundwork for potential visit from Pope Francis himself, who has long desired to travel to the country in a bid to strengthen the peace process in place gripped by one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world.