Pope Francis flew to the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Tuesday, becoming the first pope to visit the country since 1985.
Last year, Pope Francis was forced to postpone his trip because of knee pain, but he would love to travel to a country where the local Catholic community is growingand where the plight of the people resonates with a pope who has noticed refugees, the poor, the global south and the dangers of environmental destruction.
Tens of thousands of people waited for the pope’s motorcade in the capital Kinshasa, where Francis met with national officials and charity workers.
The Holy Father also met with victims of violence from eastern part of the Congo. With armed rebel groups there regularly attacking civilians and forcing them to flee, Francis had to cancel a visit to the area, fearing he would endanger the faithful gathered. to meet him.
The Pope’s Africa tour will continue when he arrives in South Sudan for the weekend.
Tuesday
Pope Francis on a plane from Italy to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the starting point of his apostolic trip to Africa.
Catholic priests wait at the airport to greet the pope.
A photo released by the Vatican shows crowds in the capital Kinshasa.
Boy Scouts play drums before the Pope’s arrival outside N’djili International Airport in Kinshasa.
Large crowds lined the streets of Kinshasa to greet Pope Francis as he began his journey through the capital.
The Pope had originally planned to visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan last year, but he postponed the trip because of knee pain.
While the Congo embodies the wounds that Francis hopes to heal, it is also a country with the potential to greatly affect the future of the Church.
The honor guard prepares for the welcome ceremony at the Palais de la Nation.
Pope Francis and President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the welcoming ceremony.
Pope Francis speaks to attendees at the Palais de la Nation.
The crowd tried to catch a glimpse of the pope as he left the airport in Kinshasa.
