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Pope Francis

Pope Francis addresses South Sudan’s government and members of the diplomatic corps Feb. 3, 2023. / Vatican Media

"No more bloodshed," Pope Francis Begs South Sudanese Leaders on Day 1 of Pilgrimage

Feb 3, 2023

On the first day of his peace pilgrimage, Pope Francis begged the leaders of South Sudan to work together to put an end to bloody conflict in their country.

Pope Francis landed in South Sudan on Feb. 3, 2023, becoming the first pope to visit the country and fulfilling a yearslong hope to carry out an ecumenical trip to the war-torn country. / Vatican Media

Pope Francis Lands in South Sudan, Fulfills Yearslong Dream to Nation in Civil Strife

Feb 3, 2023

The pope has called his Feb. 3-5 visit to Juba, South Sudan’s capital, a “pilgrimage of peace.”

Speaking in Our Lady of Congo Cathedral in Kinshasa on Feb. 2, 2023, the pope encouraged priests and religious to continue to bring the Congolese people Jesus, who “heals the wounds of every human heart.” | Vatican Media

Pope to Priests in DR Congo: Bring People Jesus, who "heals the wounds of every heart"

Feb 2, 2023

On the World Day of Consecrated Life, Pope Francis thanked the more than 18,000 priests and religious in the Democratic Republic of Congo for serving others amid the country’s “difficult and often dangerous conditions.”

Here’s What Pope Francis Said About Exploitative Mining in the Congo

Feb 2, 2023

As part of his visit to Africa this week, Pope Francis met Tuesday with civil leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the largest and poorest countries on the continent. Speaking with authorities including President Félix Tshisekedi, the pope denounced the practice of child labor in the country’s many mines, a widespread problem exacerbated by an ever-increasing global demand for cobalt, a vital component of rechargeable batteries.

Young people from eastern Congo lay down the machetes and knives used to kill their families at the foot of Christ’s cross to symbolize their forgiveness in a moving encounter with Pope Francis during his trip to the country Feb. 1, 2023. | Vatican Media

Pope "left without words" After Children’s Shocking Stories of Violence in Eastern Congo

Feb 2, 2023

In a moving encounter with Pope Francis, children from eastern Congo laid down the machetes and knives used to kill their families at the foot of Christ’s cross to symbolize their forgiveness.

Millions gather in Manila for Pope Francis' closing Mass on Jan. 18, 2015. / Alan Holdren/CNA.

Biggest Papal Masses Ever: How Does February 1 Mass in the DR Congo Compare?

Feb 1, 2023

Papal Masses, especially in the last 50 years or so, have attracted crowds of millions — many of them at World Youth Days. 

Pope Francis celebrated Mass with around 1 million people in Kinshasa, DRC, on Feb. 1, 2023. | Vatican Media

1 Million Attend Joyful Mass with Pope Francis in Democratic Republic of Congo

Feb 1, 2023

More than one million people attended Pope Francis’ Mass in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday morning, according to local authorities.

On his second day in the Congolese capital of Kinshasa, Feb. 1, 2023, Pope Francis listened to the stories of victims of violence from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s conflict-ridden eastern region. / Vatican Media

"It’s not philanthropy, but faith": Pope Francis to Congolese Charities

Feb 1, 2023

The pope praised the work being done to assist those in poverty and emphasized the importance of Christian charity as an integral part of the faith.

Students at the Ndjili Airport to welcome Pope Francis to DR Congo. Credit: ACI Africa

Pope Francis’ Visit to “strengthen faith, hope, charity” of Congolese: Catholic Archbishop

Jan 31, 2023

The Apostolic Journey of Pope Francis to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is to “strengthen the faith, hope and charity” of the people of God in the Central African nation, the President of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) has told ACI Africa.

Fr. Rigobert Kyungu Musenge. Credit: ACI Africa

Dozens of Central Africa Province Jesuits to Meet Pope Francis in Private Audience

Jan 31, 2023

Out of some 400 members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in the Central Africa Province , “only 85 selected members” are scheduled to meet Pope Francis in a private audience on Thursday, February 2 in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Provincial Superior has told ACI Africa.

Credit: Virunga National Park

Climate Activists in DR Congo Appeal for Pope’s Support in Ending Fossil Fuel Projects

Jan 31, 2023

Climate activists in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are seeking Pope Francis’ support in engaging the government to stop plans for oil and gas exploration during his Apostolic Journey to the country.

Credit: Courtesy Photo

South Sudan lifts Suspension on Rome Peace Talks ahead of Ecumenical Visit

Jan 31, 2023

South Sudan has announced the lifting of the suspension on the Rome Peace talks with the Non-Signatory groups days to the arrival of Pope Francis, the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Iain Greenshields, to the country.

Catholic News, Pope Francis, Democratic Republic of Congo, Vatican news

"Hands off Africa!" Pope Francis Says in Democratic Republic of Congo

Jan 31, 2023

In his first speech in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday, Pope Francis urged the international community to give the central African country its autonomy while not turning a blind eye to exploitation and violence.

Pope Francis meets with refugees from Congo and South Sudan before his flight to Africa on Jan. 31, 2023. | Centro Astalli

Pope Francis Meets with Refugees from Congo and South Sudan Before Flight to Africa

Jan 31, 2023

Before departing on his flight to Africa on Tuesday morning, Pope Francis met with a group of refugees and migrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan at the Vatican.

Pope Francis delivers his Angelus address at the Vatican, 29 January 2023. Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Asks for Prayers Ahead of Apostolic Journey to DR Congo, South Sudan

Jan 30, 2023

Pope Francis is seeking prayerful solidarity as he prepares to embark on his third Apostolic trip to sub-Saharan Africa, beginning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Tuesday, January 31, and then South Sudan from Friday, February 3. 

Papal dais ready for Holy Mass on Wednesday, February 1 at Ndolo Airport. Credit: ACI Africa

Venue for Papal Public Mass in DR Congo at “final touches”: Congolese Official

Jan 30, 2023

Ndolo Airport in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the venue for the Papal public Mass during the first leg of Pope Francis’ two-African-nation Apostolic journey, is almost ready, the technical Coordinator has said.

Pope Francis and the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, at the Vatican on Oct. 5, 2021. Vatican Media

“A historic visit”: Archbishop of Canterbury on Ecumenical Trip to South Sudan

Jan 30, 2023

The Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has said the planned ecumenical visit to be undertaken alongside Pope Francis and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Iain Greenshields later this week is “historic”.

Pope Francis prayed for peace in the Holy Land at the end of his Angelus address on Jan. 29, 2023. / Vatican Media

Pope Francis Expresses Sorrow Over "spiral of death" in the Holy Land

Jan 29, 2023

In his Sunday Angelus address, the pope expressed “great sorrow” for the death of Palestinians killed in an Israeli military raid and seven Israelis killed in a shooting.

Credit: Courtesy Photo

Ecumenical Visit to South Sudan “an opportunity that God has given us once in life”

Jan 28, 2023

The planned ecumenical visit to South Sudan to be undertaken by Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Iain Greenshields next week is a “once in life” opportunity from God for the realization of unity in South Sudan, a Catholic Priest involved in the preparations for the February 3-5 trip has said. 

Fr. Samuel Abe. Credit: ACI Africa

Planned Papal Encounter with IDPs in South Sudan “sign of solidarity”: Catholic Priest

Jan 28, 2023

The meeting of the Holy Father with the internally displaced persons (IDPs) when he visits South Sudan next week alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Iain Greenshields, is a “sign of solidarity” with those suffering, a Catholic Priest involved in the preparations of the visit has told ACI Africa.