Pope Leo XIV by Catholic Church England and Wales (Mazur/cbcew.org.uk) / Flickr
Pope Leo XIV responded with “consternation and deep affliction” to the July 27 massacre in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where armed assailants attacked Catholic faithful gathered in prayer, killing dozens.
“His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has learned with consternation and deep affliction of the attack permitted against the Blessed Anuarite Parish of Komanda in the province of Ituri, which caused the death of several faithful, gathered for worship,” read a message sent to Bishop Fulgence Muteba Mugalu, president of the Congolese bishops’ conference.
The telegram, signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, continued: “He joins the mourning of the families and of the Christian community severely affected, showing them his closeness and assuring them of his prayer.”
As CatholicVote reported, militants affiliated with the Islamic State attacked the parish in the early hours of Sunday morning during a vigil service, using machetes and firearms to kill those gathered. They also set nearby houses and shops on fire. Reported death tolls have varied, with some official sources confirming at least 10 fatalities while others estimate the number could be as high as 43 or more.
In his message, the Pope called the tragedy a summons to deeper solidarity and development.
“This tragedy invites us further to work for the whole human development of the murdered population of this region,” Cardinal Parolin wrote. “His Holiness is begging God so that the blood of these martyrs is a seed of peace, reconciliation, fraternity and love for all the Congo people.”
The telegram concluded with a blessing: “The Holy Father sends the Apostolic Blessing to the Blessed Anuarite Parish of Komanda, especially to the grieving families, as well as to the daughters and sons of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to the entire nation.”
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