Pope Francis expressed his regret for the violence in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, highlighting that many of those killed “are Christians.” ” who have been “murdered in odium fidei [out of hatred of the faith].”
On 16 June, Sunday, the Holy Father noted that “painful news continues to arrive about clashes and massacres in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I address my appeal to national authorities and the international community to do everything possible to stop the violence and safeguard the lives of civilians.”
Following a series of attacks committed in recent days in towns in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo by the terrorist organization Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which has sworn allegiance to the Islamic State, it is estimated that more than 80 people have died.
Pope Francis assured today that “among the victims, many are Christians murdered in odium fidei. They are martyrs. His sacrifice is a seed that germinates and bears fruit, and teaches us to bear witness to the Gospel with courage and consistency.”
Then, the Holy Father encouraged the faithful not to stop praying “for peace in Ukraine, in the Holy Land, in Sudan, in Myanmar and wherever people suffer because of war.”