Pope Leo Mourns 43 Killed in Islamist Attack on Congo Catholic Church

Pope Leo XIV expressed profound grief and sympathy following a brutal Islamist attack on a Catholic church in Komanda, northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where at least 43 people, including nine children, were killed by ISIS-backed Allied Democratic Forces rebels. The Pope, through a telegram sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, conveyed his condolences to the victims' families and the Congolese Christian community, urging that the blood of the martyrs become a seed of peace, reconciliation, fraternity, and love for the region. The attack, which disrupted a months-long period of relative calm in the Ituri province, involved militants using machetes and firearms and also included setting fire to nearby houses and shops. International reactions included condemnation from France, which expressed solidarity with the Congolese government in combating terrorism. The Pope called the tragedy a summons to work harder for the integral human development of the affected population and sent his apostolic blessing to the entire nation. Regional military forces from Uganda and the DRC have deployed troops to address the ongoing threat from the militia.