Pope Leo XIV Calls Attention to Violence Against Christians in Congo
Pope Leo XIV has expressed deep concern over the recent attacks on Christians in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), pointing out a troubling trend of violence against religious communities worldwide.
In a statement shared on his official social media, the Pope said, “In many parts of the world, Christians face discrimination and persecution. Countries like Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Sudan often report attacks on their communities and places of worship. I stand with the families in Kivu, where recent violence has resulted in civilian deaths. We must pray for an end to violence and for believers to unite for the common good.”
The local authorities in the DRC have reported that at least 17 people lost their lives when members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militant group affiliated with the Islamic State, attacked a church-run hospital in Byambwe, North Kivu.
Witness accounts describe a horrific scene where attackers invaded the hospital at night, killing patients in their beds and even setting the facility ablaze. Colonel Alain Kiwewa, a local administrator, mentioned that the victims included breastfeeding mothers who were brutally killed.
Vatican News labeled the incident as a “terrorist attack on civilians,” with Rev. Giovanni Piumatti, a missionary in the region for 50 years, recounting how militants not only killed but also looted medical supplies and destroyed homes nearby. He noted that such violence has become a regular occurrence in the area.
The ADF has a history of targeting Christians and has committed various atrocities in eastern Congo. A recent Human Rights Watch report highlighted incidents where the group killed over 40 people, including children, during nighttime attacks on church gatherings.
The hospital attacked was managed by the Little Sisters of the Presentation, known for providing maternal care and basic health services in a region with limited medical resources. Reports suggest that newborns were also kidnapped during the assault.
Piumatti criticized the “shameful silence” of the global community regarding these events, attributing the rise of armed groups to economic interests in North Kivu’s resource-rich territories.
The massacre in Byambwe adds to a growing list of Islamist-linked attacks in Africa and emphasizes the need for global awareness of Christian persecution and the protection of vulnerable communities.
