Published on: 01/31/2023 – 16:16 Modified on: 01/31/2023 – 17:42
Pope Francis landed at Kinshasa Airport in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the early afternoon of Tuesday 31 January. The Pope is in the country for a four-day visit before leaving for South Sudan. In his first speech, the Pope denounced the “economic colonialism” that was “unleashed” in Africa.
François smiling on the tarmac at Kinshasa International Airport in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: these are the first images of the Pope’s visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo which begins this Tuesday, January 31, and is scheduled to last four days. His plane, which departed from Rome on Tuesday morning, landed in Kinshasa just after 3.30pm local time. Congolese Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge greeted the pope, who is in a wheelchair due to health reasons, as he descended from the plane.
Crowds began gathering around the airport in the morning to celebrate the arrival of the sovereign Pope. Residents of the capital, but also from afar, had gathered to receive the Pope’s blessing on the main streets.
After a welcome ceremony at the airport, François made his way to the Palais de la Nation in the Congolese capital to be received by President Félix Tshisekedi. A one-on-one interview that lasted about twenty minutes.
#RDC 01/31/2023|#PalaisdelaNation
After the ceremonial welcome of Pope Francis this afternoon at the Palais de la Nation, Head of State Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo will hold a personal meeting with the Pope. pic.twitter.com/g3esikwXbm– Presidency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo 🇨🇩 (@Presidence_RDC) January 31, 2023
“Hands off the Democratic Republic of the Congo, hands off Africa! »
That is why the Pope gave his first speech in the Presidential Palace. It was first President Félix Tshisekedi who delivered a very political welcoming speech, which focused on the situation in the east of the country, an area of peace breach, he said, where “aside from armed groups, foreign powers are covetous of the minerals found in ours.” underground are committing cruel atrocities with the direct and cowardly support of our neighbor Rwanda.” He thanked the pope for his interest in peace in the east of the country, reports our special correspondent Veronique Gaymard.
For his part, Pope Francis spoke strong words, comparing the country and its people to a “precious diamond of inestimable value”, a vast country teeming with life. He denounces a “forgotten genocide that the Congo and the people of the East have been suffering for several years”. Finally, he pleaded for the convergence of forces to achieve peace.
A very political speech to the authorities and the diplomatic corps in which Pope Francis vigorously denounced the “economic colonialism” being “unleashed” in Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“After political colonialism, an equally enslaving economic colonialism was unleashed. This largely plundered country is therefore under-using its immense resources,” he lamented to applause during a very political speech to the authorities and diplomatic corps.
“Hands off the Democratic Republic of the Congo, hands off Africa! Stop suffocating Africa: it is not a mine to be exploited, nor a country to be plundered,” the Pope applauded in front of the authorities and the diplomatic corps at the Presidential Palace.
the #RDC and the#Africa deserve to be respected and listened to, they deserve space and attention. Stop suffocating Africa: it is not a mine to be exploited, nor a country to be plundered. May Africa be the protagonist of his destiny! #Apostolic Journey
– Pope Francis (@Pontifex_fr) January 31, 2023
A reputation that resounds especially in a country with immense wealth and fertile soil, where two-thirds of the approximately 100 million inhabitants live on less than $2.15 a day.
“We cannot get used to the blood that has been flowing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for decades, causing millions of deaths. May the ongoing peace processes – which I support with all my might – be supported in practice and promises kept,” the Pope also wrote on his Twitter account.
Thousands of people are expected at Ndolo Airport on Tuesday evening for a prayer vigil ahead of Wednesday morning’s Mass. A million believers are expected there.
(With AFP)
► Also read: The Pope, his history, his role, his power