Pope Francis’ Presence in DR Congo “a blessing, opportunity to renew faith”: Catholic Nun

Sr. Yamba continued, “The visit of Pope Francis to our country is a historic event that is important to us all because we are being visited by a pastor who loves his people, who loves this nation and who sympathizes with all the Congolese people.”

“He knows that we are living in a difficult political situation with a lot of violence, many deaths, injustice, and a lot of suffering,” she further said, adding, “The Pope comes as a pastor to share with us this suffering, but above all to encourage us and to comfort us like a Father.”

Sr. Yamba said that Pope Francis “wants to feel like one of us. He also loves the Congolese Church and for us it is a privilege to have him in our midst.”

The FSP member who doubles as the vice President of the Conference of Major Superiors in DRC (COSUMA) further said the visit of the Holy Father is also an occasion for politicians to seek conversion and “govern well”, prioritizing the protection of human life. 

“The Pope is visiting us as a head of state that is why he met our political authorities. The presence of the Holy Father should challenge them to govern well and ensure peoples’ lives and properties are protected,” she said.

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Sr. Yamba urged the people of God in DRC to come out in their number and actively participate in all the activities of the Holy Father in the Central African nation. 

“For this visit to be successful we need the participation of all sons and daughters. Our massive presence will make the Holy Father feel at home,” Sr. Yamba told ACI Africa January 31.

Besides meeting the Jesuits in Kinshasa, Pope Francis is scheduled to interact with victims of the conflict in the Eastern part of the country and representatives of charitable organizations, celebrate Holy Mass, meet with young people, and Catholic Bishops before embarking on the second leg of his two-African-nation trip.

He is set to leave for South Sudan on Friday, February 3 where he is to engage in an ecumenical visit alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Iain Greenshields.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.