Name: Pope Leo appeals for peace for people fleeing Eastern Congo violence
Uploaded: 2026-01-18T16:58:56.424Z
Duration: 1 min 22 s
Description: Pope Leo XIV made an appeal for peace on Sunday for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Pope Leo XIV made an appeal for peace on Sunday for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Rome

Pope Leo addressed the ongoing crisis in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo during his weekly message, urging peace for those affected by renewed violence and highlighting the humanitarian challenges faced by people fleeing to Burundi. He also extended prayers to residents of South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, where recent floods have caused significant loss of life.

The Pope noted that weeks of torrential rains and flooding in southern Africa have resulted in over 100 deaths, prompting South Africa to declare a national disaster. His remarks underscored the urgent need for international attention to both the conflict in Congo and the natural disasters impacting southern Africa.

Pope Leo appeals for peace for people fleeing Eastern Congo violence

Pope Leo appealed for peace for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Sunday as part of his weekly message to the faithful in St. Peter's Square. Eastern Congo is facing renewed violence after decades of fighting between government forces and dozens of armed groups vying for control of the mineral-rich area. Today, I would like to recall in particular the great difficulties faced by the population of the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, forced to flee their country, especially towards Burundi, because of the violence, facing a serious humanitarian crisis. Leo also remembered residents of South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. I also wish to send my prayers to the victims of the floods that have hit southern Africa in recent days. Weeks of torrential rains and flooding across the three countries have left more than 100 people dead. South Africa on Sunday declared the situation a national disaster.

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