Democratic Republic of Congo

The Latest

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

Congolese civil rights attorney Hervé Diakiese Kyungu testifying on July 14, 2022, at a congressional hearing in Washington, D.C. on the use of child labor in China-backed cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Testimony: China-backed cobalt mines in Congo exploit 40,000 child workers

Jul 16, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell

The mines “are often no more than narrow shafts dug into the ground, which is why children are recruited —... Read more

Pope Francis celebrated Mass for Rome’s Congolese community in St. Peter's Basilica on July 3, 2022.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in the Congolese rite: ‘Peace begins with us’

Jul 3, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope began his homily with the word, “esengo,” which means “joy” in Lingala, the Bantu-based creole spoken in parts... Read more

Pope Francis recorded a video message for the people of South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Pope Francis ‘greatly disappointed’ over missing trip to Africa this week

Jul 2, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope released a video message in which he urged the Congolese and South Sudanese people to place their hope... Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

After canceling trip, Pope Francis sending Cardinal Parolin to visit Africa

Jun 27, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope's trip was canceled because of continued problems with his knee. Read more

Pope Francis meets participants in the general chapter of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) in the Vatican’s Clementine Hall, June 13, 2022.

After postposting Africa trip, Pope Francis says: ‘We will bring Kinshasa to St. Peter’s’

Jun 13, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope hopes to celebrate Mass for Rome’s Congolese community on July 3. Read more

Pope Francis is pictured in St. Peter’s Basilica on Pentecost Sunday, June 5, 2022.

Pope Francis’ July trip to Africa postponed for health reasons

Jun 10, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope was due to visit the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan on July 2-7. Read more

Aftermath of the explosion inside Emmanuel-Butsili Parish in Beni, DRC on June 27, 2021.

Bomb in Catholic church in Democratic Republic of Congo 'seriously injures' two parishioners

Jun 28, 2021

By Jude Atemanke, Evans Kipkura

The early morning explosion at Emmanuel-Butsili Parish in the town of Beni was caused by a homemade bomb that had... Read more