Pope Francis is expected to arrive in South Sudan on Friday, and the Catholic Church there plans to perform special prayers on Thursday for his safe arrival.

Approximately a million people attended one of Pope Francis' largest Masses, which he conducted on Wednesday in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while he is currently there.

According to Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin, the prayers for the Pope's visit to South Sudan would be performed at the mausoleum of the late president John Garang in Juba.

“I want to make this announcement to all the Christians, let us come here on Thursday afternoon at 17:00 hours (15:00 GMT) to pray for the health of our Holy Father Pope Francis and for his safe arrival in our country on Friday,” Archbishop Ameyu said.

The Mass will be officiated by Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, the Vatican's ambassador to South Sudan.

The government has reportedly sent 5,000 soldiers and police officers to the nation's capital to serve as security for the Pope's visit.