The Pope and his delegation were welcomed by the Congolese Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr Jean-Michel SAMA LUKONDO KYENGE, among traditional songs and dances performed for the occasion.

Pope Francis was able to share his vision and even what can be the vocation of the Democratic Republic of Congo with strong images such as the diaphragm of Africa or the diamond of creation. His speech won the hearts of many Congolese in search of dignity and the safeguarding of the territorial integrity of the D.R. Congo. His words were full of comfort, but also of life to resurrect the Democratic Republic of Congo (Review the spirit of your national anthem).

On the second day of his apostolic journey to the D.R. Congo, on the 1st of February 2023, Pope Francis presided over a Eucharistic celebration following the “Zairian” rite in front of nearly a million people at the Ndolo airfield in Kinshasa/Barumbu.

For his homily, he was inspired by the words of Jesus to the disciples: “Peace be with you” (Jn 20:19,21). A word repeated “insistently”, he said, that “we are called to make our own” in order to tell the world “this unexpected and prophetic announcement of peace”. Jesus himself indicates the “three sources of peace” to continue to cultivate it, Pope Francis then stressed, namely “forgiveness”, “community” and “mission”.

On the third day of his visit to the DRC, the Pope led a catechesis with young people and catechists from the DRC and elsewhere. This meeting with young people is one of the key moments of his visit to the DRC.

The Pope took this opportunity to raise awareness among young people: “God has placed the gift of life in your hands. From your hands tomorrow will be born, from your hands can come the peace that this country lacks. These words can be associated with his Post-Synodal Exhortation Christus Vivit, no. 64: “After consulting the Word of God, we cannot only say that young people are the future of the world. They are present, enriching it with their contribution”.