Kinshasa, April 22rd, 2025 (CPA) – The people of the Democratic Republic of Congo will never forget Pope François’ historic visit to Kinshasa, nor his prophetic cry for justice, the Congolese Head of State has indicated on Tuesday in the register of condolences at the Apostolic Nunciature in Kinshasa, the capital.
‘The people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will never forget his historic visit to Kinshasa in February 2023, nor his prophetic cry for justice: ‘Take your hands off Africa, take your hands off the Democratic Republic of Congo’, has written Felix Tshisekedi in the register of condolences. ‘On this day of profound sadness, on behalf of the Congolese people and on my own behalf, I pay a moving tribute to His Holiness Pope Francis, whose death leaves a huge void in our hearts. A pastor of rare humanity, he has embodied love, humility and hope, guiding the Church and the world towards peace and brotherhood », he has continued.
The Head of State welcomed on his arrival by the Apostolic Nuncio
Welcomed on his arrival by the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Mitja Leskovar, the Head of State has expressed his deepest sympathy to the Nuncio following this death which affects the universal Catholic Church. The two personalities have also exchanged on the program of the funeral and on the procedure of designation of the 267th Pope, before evoking the last apostolic mission of the Sovereign Pontiff in Kinshasa. With this gesture, President Felix Tshisekedi has expressed his closeness and compassion towards the Catholic faithful of the world and those of DRC in particular. The Head of State and Pope Francis, of happy memory, had met twice in the Vatican in October 2019, on the occasion of the consecration of Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, then in January 2020 on an official visit to the Vatican. It was on this occasion that the Holy Father had accepted President Felix Tshisekedi’s invitation to make an apostolic visit to DRC.
‘The Holy Father was a man of faith, a builder of peace’ (Prime Minister)
Prime Minister Judith Suminwa signing the register of condolences
In addition, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, who has visited the Apostolic Nunciature in Kinshasa on the same day, has hailed Pope Francis as « a man of faith » and « a builder of peace », according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. ‘The Holy Father was a man of faith and a builder of peace.
He has demonstrated this here in DRC, where he has forcefully denounced the illegal exploitation of our resources, which is at the root of this war that has caused so many deaths. He has worked tirelessly for peace in the world, in Africa, and particularly in our country. This is an heritage that the Congolese will never forget, whatever their faith or sensibility’, has written Judith Suminwa in the book of condolences dedicated to the memory of the Sovereign Pontiff. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17th, 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis has died in Rome, Italy, at the age of 88 years old. From March 13th, 2013 until his death, he was the 266th Pope and the first from South America.