Pope Francis Urges End to Violence in Conflict-Stricken North Kivu, DRC

In Summary

• Pope Francis calls for an end to violence in North Kivu, DRC, during his Sunday Angelus message.
• At least seven people killed in protests against a surge in deadly attacks by suspected Islamist rebels.
• The pope urges national authorities and the international community to take action to stop the violence and protect civilians.
• Francis highlights the plight of "many Christians" killed in the conflict, referring to them as martyrs.
• The pope also calls for peace in other conflict zones, including Ukraine, Israel and the Palestinian territories, Sudan, and Myanmar.

DETAILS

Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo- Pope Francis on Sunday pleaded for an end to violence and civilian deaths in North Kivu, a conflict-stricken province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. At least seven people were killed there on Friday and Saturday after people took to the streets to protest a surge in deadly attacks by suspected Islamist rebels.

"Painful news continues to arrive of attacks and massacres carried out in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo," Francis told crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square. "I appeal to national authorities and the international community to do everything possible to stop the violence and safeguard the lives of civilians," he said during his Sunday Angelus message.

The pope deplored the "many Christians" killed in the conflict, saying "they are martyrs." Francis also renewed calls for peace in Ukraine, Israel and the Palestinian territories, Sudan, Myanmar "and anywhere people suffer from war."