Democratic Republic of Congo

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At least 33 people have been reported dead and thousands displaced following April 5-6, 2025, flooding that cut access to over half of the Congolese capital of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Congolese bishops express ‘spiritual closeness’ with victims of deadly floods in Kinshasa

Apr 13, 2025

By Jude Atemanke

Bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo expressed their solidarity with victims of the recent floods and landslides that struck... Read more

Democratic Republic of Congo Republican Guard soldiers walk in the streets of Kinshasa on March 1, 2025. As the M23 fighters continue their offensive in eastern DR Congo, hundreds of soldiers from the Republican Guard walk the streets of Kinshasa in a show of force.

Caritas Internationalis warns violence in Democratic Republic of Congo may become regional

Mar 8, 2025

By Silas Isenjia

At the 58th regular session of the U.N. Human Rights Council, Caritas Internationalis highlighted the widespread effects of the conflict... Read more

Pope Francis meets the Catholic bishops of the Democratic Republic of Congo on his final day in Kinshasa on Feb. 3, 2023.

Democratic Republic of Congo bishops stress need for ceasefire, dialogue, and human dignity

Feb 12, 2025

By Silas Isenjia

Leaders of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar have appealed for action for victims of violence in... Read more

Pope Francis delivers his Angelus address from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square on Feb. 2, 2025, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

Love and light: Pope Francis reflects on Christ’s presentation

Feb 2, 2025

By AC Wimmer

Pope Francis, reflecting on the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, says it serves as a reminder that Jesus... Read more

Bishop Willy Ngumbi Ngengele of the Goma Diocese presides over the Oct. 1, 2024, funeral Mass for Edmond Bahati Mbarushimana, a Catholic journalist in the Democratic Republic of Congo who was murdered Sept. 27.

Catholic journalist murdered in Democratic Republic of Congo eulogized as ‘man of peace’

Oct 4, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

Edmond Bahati Mbarushimana, a journalist for Radio Maria Goma, was hailed as “a faithful servant, committed and conscientious in everything... Read more

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.

14 Catholics killed in Democratic Republic of Congo after refusing to convert to Islam

May 30, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

The Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano reported that the 14 Catholics were killed in North Kivu by members of an ISIS-affiliated... Read more

Members of the Provincial Episcopal Assembly of Bukavu (ASSEPB).

Democratic Republic of Congo bishops: Amid growth of Church ‘the Congolese state is dead’

Apr 28, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

Catholic bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo have denounced the insecurity and violence... Read more

Father Léopold Feyen.

Salesian priest stabbed to death in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dec 15, 2023

By Abel Camasca

The Salesian News Agency reported the murder of Father Léopold Feyen in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of... Read more

Members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO).

Violence, emergence of new militia among Democratic Republic of Congo bishops’ concerns

Jun 27, 2023

By Magdalene Kahiu

“We are witnessing the persistence and worsening of insecurity, especially in the eastern part of our country,” the bishops stated... Read more

Father Apollinaire Cibaka Cikongo.

‘There is sometimes a terrifying silence’ regarding abortions in Africa, priest says

Jun 25, 2023

By ACI Africa

Father Apollinaire Cibaka Cikongo of the Democratic Republic of Congo expressed concern about the “general silence” on abortion in Africa. Read more

Pope Francis met with bishops, priests, and religious in St. Theresa Cathedral in Juba, South Sudan, on Feb. 4, 2023.

Pope Francis: ‘I believe that the pope’s ministry is for life’

Feb 16, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis addressed once again the question of whether he will resign the papacy in two conversations with Jesuit priests... Read more

Pope Francis interacted with an energetic crowd of 65,000 young adults and catechists at Martyrs' Stadium in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on Feb. 2, 2023.

Priest, 5 students arrested for chants against president after Pope Francis event in DRC

Feb 4, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The students and Father Guy Julien Muluku were detained nearly 34 hours before being released shortly before 10 p.m. on... Read more

An artisanal miner carries a sack of ore at the Shabara artisanal mine near Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Oct.12, 2022.

Here’s what Pope Francis said about exploitative mining in the Congo

Feb 2, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

The Democratic Republic of Congo exports 70% of the world's cobalt, a once-obscure element now in great demand because it’s... Read more

Pope Francis is greeted at the N’Dolo Airport in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Jan. 31, 2023.

‘Hands off Africa!’ Pope Francis says in Democratic Republic of Congo

Jan 31, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis urged the international community to give the central African country its autonomy while not turning a blind eye... Read more

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

Pope Francis meets with refugees from Congo and South Sudan before flight to Africa

Jan 31, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Among the refugees who met with the pope was Bidong, who spent much of his childhood in a refugee camp... Read more

Pope Francis visits the Basilica of St. Mary Major on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, to entrust his upcoming trip to Africa to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Pope Francis entrusts trip to Congo and South Sudan to Blessed Virgin Mary

Jan 30, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope departs Rome on Tuesday morning for the capital city of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a... Read more

Pope Francis prays at the general audience, Oct. 19, 2022

Pope Francis prays for priest killed in Nigeria, asks for prayers for persecuted Christians

Jan 18, 2023

By Courtney Mares

At the end of his Wednesday audience, Pope Francis asked for people to join him in praying for persecuted Christians... Read more

Pope Francis prays in front of a crucifix during his general audience on Oct. 26, 2022.

Pope Francis prays for victims of Congo church bombing

Jan 17, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The church bombing in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday killed at least 14 people and injured more than... Read more

Map of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Islamic State bombs church service in Congo

Jan 16, 2023

By Courtney Mares

At least 10 people were killed and more than three dozen injured in the terrorist attack on a church in... Read more

Pope Francis met Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege on Dec. 9, 2022.

Pope Francis meets Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege ahead of Congo trip

Dec 9, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis met Friday with Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege, a Congolese physician known for his work treating victims... Read more