Pope Francis expressed his closeness and prayers to the victims of a church bombing in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Tuesday. The attack that killed at least 14 people and injured more than 60.
“In prayer, the Holy Father entrusts the deceased and the wounded to the mercy of God. He implores Christ, the Lord of Life, that the afflicted may find consolation and trust in God, invoking upon them the gift of peace,” a telegram sent on 17 January on behalf of the pope said.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing of a Sunday church service at a Pentecostal church in the eastern Congolese town of Kasindi on the border with Uganda.
Pope Francis sent the condolence message two weeks before he is set to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The pope is scheduled to visit the Congolese capital of Kinshasa from 31 January to 3 February where he will meet with victims of violence from the country’s eastern region.