The Pope's visit to the DRC: How important is his trip at this time?

The leader of the Catholic Church in the World Pope Francis on Tuesday is expected to start a visit to two African countries (DRC and South Sudan) that have suffered from long-term conflicts that caused millions of people to flee their homes due to difficult living conditions.

The Pope will begin his visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is home to the largest Catholic community in Africa.

It is more than 37 years since the former Pope, John Paul II, visited the country - when it was called Zaire.

However, the pope comes at a time when the DR-Congo is facing an escalating conflict in the east of the country as government forces battle against armed groups.

The importance of the Pope's visit

Africa has more than a third of the world's Catholics, and that number is growing.

Catholics in DR Congo, where the church has long played a major role, hope Pope Francis will encourage free and fair elections.

But Africans are underrepresented in the Vatican, and other regions - such as Latin America - are currently more powerful in Rome.

So when the Pope travels to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan this week, many Africans in the Church hope he will emphasize his point when he says that their voices need to be heard.

He also arrives at this time when there is a discussion in the church about the position of believers on the issue of same-sex couples.