Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Catholic bishops urge world to bring peace to DR Congo

DR Congo
  • Congolese Catholic Church calls on international community to help build peace in conflict-torn eastern DR Congo.
  • During a visit by Pope Francis, the Vatican’s second most senior official presided over a mass at the Congolese parliament in Kinshasa for Francis.
  • The pope cancelled a scheduled visit to the DRC due to knee pain.

 

The Congolese Catholic Church called on the international community to help build peace in conflict-torn eastern DR Congo on Sunday, During a visit by Pope Francis.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s second most senior official, presided over a mass at the Congolese parliament in Kinshasa for Francis after the pope cancelled a scheduled visit due to knee pain.

Marcel Utembi, president of the Congolese national bishops’ conference, urged the international community to “participate with honesty in promoting peace and reconciliation” in areas of eastern DRC plagued by armed groups.

A video message from Pope Francis, released by the Vatican on Saturday, was played on a giant screen at the start of the mass, attended by the Congolese prime minister, bishops and thousands of worshippers.

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