Nuncio in Kinshasa: Pope’s message in DRC ‘more relevant than ever'

Nuncio in Kinshasa: Pope’s message in DRC ‘more relevant than ever’


Two years of the visit of Pope Francis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (January 31-February 3, 2023), the eastern part of the country is devastated by conflicts and confronted with a serious humanitarian crisis. The apostolic nuncio in Kinshasa, the Archbishop Mitja Leskovar, talks about the situation and explains ways towards the resolution of the crisis.

By Delphine Allaire

Protect the civilian population of Goma and pray for a fast restoration of peace and security in the DRC – two years after their apostolic trip to the largest Catholic and French -speaking country in Africa, the call of Pope Francis during his audience General on Wednesday January 29, has a particular meaning. His words reflect the sadness and frustration of the current war, often neglected by the international community and the attraction for greater world mobilization to resolve the conflict.

According to the representative of the Pope in the DRC, several Congolese bishops and the Prime Minister of the country expressed their gratitude for his public intervention.

The non-Apostolic Non-Cas in Kinshasa was the site of a memorable meeting two years ago on February 1, 2023, where the Holy Father listened to the heartbreaking testimonies of four victims of atrocities in wartime at the is – the violence that prevented the Pope from visiting Goma during the Goma during his apostolic visit. Today, these brutal stories, reflections of inhuman violence, seem to have been forgotten, deplores, the archbishop Mitja leskovar, the apostolic nuncio in Kinshasa.

Q: What information do you have on the worsening of the security situation in the eastern country?

The situation in the East is very serious and delicate. There are victims, with bodies reports located in the street. The gunshots continue in several areas. However, not all parties of Goma are affected, allowing certain residents to meet the basic needs such as food. The city is actually besieged, which could degenerate into a wider conflict. Beyond Goma, fighting continues in the region, with devastating consequences for local communities. We hope to return to negotiations, diplomatic solutions, a dialogue among all the parties and the end of violence.

Q: How were the Pope’s words received by the authorities and the people?

With gratitude. The Prime Minister and several bishops thanked me for his remarks. His call for respect for all people – citizens, public order and property – came at a particularly difficult time, not only for the Eastern provinces but also for the capital, where troubles have taken place. The message was appropriate and well received.

Q: How can the Holy See support urgent humanitarian needs in eastern Congo?

Currently, it is very difficult, mainly due to logistical challenges to provide help to a war zone. Even without conflict, transport is complicated by bad roads, sometimes impassable for vehicles, leaving only motorcycles or traveling as options.

In addition, it is difficult to determine the most urgent needs and where they are the most critical. The third challenge and perhaps the most important is the scale of the crisis – six to seven million people displaced in the DRC require help. The UN, other organizations and many NGOs, including the Catholic Church, provide help, but the needs are overwhelming. Despite these difficulties, we continue to support help efforts through religious institutions such as caritas, dioceses and religious congregations, ensuring that the help reaches those who need it.

Q: What role can the Catholic Church in the DRC play to promote peace?

The immediate priority of the Church is to meet the basic human needs as far as possible. Many hospitals near the conflict areas are overwhelmed by wounded, lacking space and resources. Medical establishments managed by the Church, often the only available health care providers play a crucial role.

Beyond humanitarian aid, the Church is committed to consolidating peace. Here, as elsewhere, peace does not only concern arms, but on promoting dialogue and understanding of all parties to achieve compromises. A desire for compromise is essential – without it, peace remains inaccessible. The Church actively promotes a broad social dialogue in the hope of carrying out a political solution. Although political decisions are not in the direct responsibility of the Church, the Church supports the initial stages towards social dialogue.

Q: How can the Holy See encourage greater international involvement in resolving the crisis?

The Holy See already works in this direction. The Pope continuously attracts international attention to the country’s struggles, which are often forgotten. The Vatican also engages in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. The Permanent Observer of the United Nations Saint-Section in New York is involved in these efforts, and the Vatican constantly highlights the importance of a peaceful resolution and negotiated in its diplomatic contacts with the States.

Q: Two years ago, the Pope met with victims of violence in the East during his apostolic visit. Since then, the situation has deteriorated. Have his words have been forgotten?

I arrived in the DRC in June 2024, so I was not present for the visit of the Pope. However, I followed the testimonies of the victims of war and ethnic violence. These accounts deeply affect me two reasons: first, brutality and hatred behind violence, which sometimes reaches inhuman levels of cruelty. Second, the remarkable capacity of the victims to forgive. For example, some brought a machete similar to that used to kill their father. Too many people have forgotten these testimonies. Revisiting them would be beneficial – they remain accessible to the public.

This morning, one of my colleagues informed me of reactions to the President’s speech on the current crisis. A person commented: “These are just beautiful words – we want war.” Such statements reveal a lack of consciousness of past sufferings. It is tragic that many people, including ordinary citizens, have forgotten these testimonies.

Q: Two years ago, the Pope called on the Congolese people to take reconciliation and to change in their own hands. What sustainable impact had his visit?

The message from the Pope of two years ago is more relevant than ever. Violence only aggravates suffering, moving more people, destabilizing society and deepening poverty. This cycle of violence must end. Dialogue and the desire to compromise are the only ways of peace in this country torn apart by war.

Q: How can the DRC free itself from the cycles of power and exploitation struggles that the Pope denounced two years ago?

Complex problems require complex solutions. Action is necessary at several levels: internationally, by strengthening state institutions, fighting corruption and promoting civic responsibility. One of the greatest challenges is the lack of concern for the common good, with too much the emphasis on individual interests. Awareness of shared responsibility for national development is crucial.

The Pope pointed out that a real change requires “conversion of hearts”. Solutions can only come from public institutions or from the international community; Individuals must also transform their attitudes, habits and convictions. These three approaches – international commitment, institutional strengthening and personal transformation – are essential to resolve the crisis.

Q: In this year of hope of the jubilee, where the DRC can we find hope, given its challenges?

Hope exists because human beings are always able to change and engage in peace. There is no lost cause. Although progress requires efforts and sacrifices, an improvement is possible. We cannot create paradise on earth – history has proven that such attempts fail. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have to do anything.

Consider education: the Catholic Church manages 40 to 50% of the country’s schools, demonstrating a significant and continuous contribution to society. Peace and dialogue initiatives exist, and they must be strengthened and enlarged. Above all, prayer remains essential. I urge everyone to listen to praying for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

(Tagstotranslate) Apostolin Nuncio



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