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Kinshasa prepares to greet the Pope. An important event for the DRC, considered to host the largest Catholic community in Africa. Worshipers are looking forward to this visit as it will be the first visit by a pope since John Paul II 38 years ago.
“We expect a lot from his visit. He is the head of the Catholic Church. When he comes, we will listen to him, but also what we have to say I will tell him.”says a man stopped in one of the streets of the capital.
“As the Pope listens all over the world, we long for a message of consolation to our brothers in the East of the Republic. We look forward to a message of peace and reconciliation from him.,” said another Congolese man, referring to the ongoing conflict between M23s and the military in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Preparations are particularly underway in St. Joseph’s Parish in the Matonge district, where choir rehearsals are taking place. About 700 choirs are to sing for the Mass celebrated by Pope Francis. “The songs selected reflect Congo, sung in four languages: Kikongo, Swahili, Tsirba, Lingala and French, with the addition of Latin. ”explains one of the participants, Paola Agguma.
There are about 45 million Catholics in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Jean-Pierre Kwanbamba, bishop of Keng Diocese, hopes many will find peace after the pope’s visit. “He comes to comfort us, to strengthen our faith, to encourage us. He comes to talk about peace and brotherhood, and we should all build peace.”
The Pope of Argentina is scheduled to arrive in the DRC on January 31st. His schedule includes his 12 speeches over three days.
In addition to authorities, he will meet with victims of violence, displaced persons, members of the clergy, and representatives of charitable organizations.
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