Pope urges prayers for DR Congo ahead of Apostolic Visit

By Francesca Merlo

Greeting the faithful at the end of his General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis welcomed a group of pilgrims from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Pope recalled that he will be visiting at the end of the month, from 31 January to 3 February, and invited everyone to pray for the nation.

Pope's recent telegram

A day earlier, on Tuesday, Pope Francis expressed his grief for a terrorist bombing that took place in the DRC.

In the attack on Sunday, suspected terrorists attacked a Pentecostal church in the eastern city of Kasindi.

Hundreds of worshipers had gathered to welcome new members to the community in baptism. A blast rocked the church’s courtyard, killing at least 14 people and wounding more than 40 others.

In a telegram of condolences addressed to Rev. André Bokundoa-Bo-Likabe, President of the Church of Christ in Congo, the Pope said he was “saddened to learn of the attack on a Pentecostal church in Kasindi, which caused the death of innocent people."

He also expressed his “compassion and closeness to all the families affected by the tragedy.”