Mass of millions in the Congo: Francis’ urgent appeal for Africa

Status: 02/01/2023 5:32 p.m

More than a million people celebrated Mass with Pope Francis in Kinshasa. He called for peace and reconciliation. The fact that he made the journey in a wheelchair and obviously in pain shows how important Africa is to him.

By Jörg Seisselberg, ARD studio Rome, currently in Kinshasa

It was one of the largest masses that Pope Francis has celebrated so far. More than a million people have gathered at the N’Dolo Airport compound in northern Kinshasa for the service. They celebrated with songs and dances in clearly defined areas. In large groups, they had set out on foot shortly after sunrise in the morning to be there.

Like 30-year-old Prince Bissouma, one of 45 million Catholics in the country: “I’m here because I’m a practicing Catholic, like many of us. The Pope gives us strength to overcome suffering and war in our country. It It is good to feel the support of the Church worldwide through him.”

Break the cycle of violence

In his homily, Francis called on the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the country with the most Catholics in Africa, to find the strength to reconcile and forgive. An appeal, especially with a view to eastern Congo, where militias terrorize the population and are being fought by government troops. The Pope’s message, which has particular weight in this Catholic country: “We are asked to work together with everyone to break the cycle of violence and shatter the intrigues of hatred.”

According to aid organizations, around 100,000 people, including many children, were displaced last year alone as a result of the conflict in eastern Congo, which is little noticed outside of Africa. Sylvie Keriyibi, one of the many young Congolese who attended the mass, hopes that the Pope’s visit to her country will make a difference: “We want peace to come to the East. Our political leaders should sit down and think about what they can do for the youth. We are so happy about the Pope’s visit and we feel blessed.”

More dignity for Africa

Francis had already made his most urgent appeal on Tuesday during the opening visit to the presidential palace, when he called on the actors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to strive for peace. But also an appeal to the world to treat Africa with more dignity and respect.

“This country and this continent deserve to be respected and listened to, they deserve space and attention. Hands off the Democratic Republic of the Congo, hands off Africa.” Thunderous applause erupted in the garden of the Presidential Palace. The pope spoke literally of a new “economic colonization” and “suffocation of Africa” ​​that must stop. Francis called Africa a continent of smiles and hope for the world.

During his days in Kinshasa, the largest city in Africa after Cairo, the Pope presents himself as a committed advocate of this continent. The fact that Francis still suffers from health problems and almost always completes his appointments in a wheelchair and sometimes visibly in pain makes his appeals even more urgent. It underlines how important this trip and his pro-Africa messages are to the Pope.

Pope celebrates mass of millions – urgent appeal for Africa

Jörg Seisselberg, ARD Rome, currently Kinshasa, February 1, 2023 4:52 p.m

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