Pope Francis met with Catholic bishops during his last day in the Democratic Republic of Congo today, 3 February.
The 86-year-old pontiff spoke with the religious leaders for the first papal visit to the Congo in more than 37 years.
Up to half of the Congo’s population of 80 million people are members of the Catholic Church, which has considerable influence in the political and social spheres, helping drive democratic change in recent decades.
After his trip to the Congo, the Pope will leave for Juba, South Sudan, today. He will be given a farewell ceremony at Kinshasa’s international airport.
The six-day trip was originally planned for July 2022, but had to be postponed after Pope Francis suffered knee problems.
It is the pontiff’s fifth visit to Africa since he became head of the Catholic Church in 2013, and his 40th trip overseas.
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