RADAR • POPE FRANCIS IN AFRICA

AFRICA, HOPE FOR THE WORLD

Pope Francis visited Africa from 31 January to 5 February 2023. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan, he met the authorities and thousands of the faithful. He spoke always in favour of the African Church and for the development of the Continent

BY FR TONINO FALAGUASTA NYABENDA | MCCJ

POPE FRANCIS left Rome to visit other countries for the 40th time. This time he chose Africa: a continent which he has defined as the hope of the world. Many people are showing a growing interest in this land and several countries are committing to Africa, giving billions of dollars to build roads, stadiums, railways and other infrastructures.

First leg of the visit: Congo

Why are all these countries from America, Europe and Asia interested in Africa? It is mainly due to its mineral resources and fertile land which are sought after. Pope Francis, on his arrival in Kinshasa, in the gardens of the Palais de la Nation, after meeting DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, exclaimed: “This country and this Continent deserve to be respected. Hands off from Congo! Hands off from Africa! Stop smothering Africa: it is not a mine to be exploited, nor a land to be robbed!” We need to approach Africa with respect.

Indeed, the Pope visited DRC, a country “as big as a continent” (in Pope Francis’ words), which has a long history. When the Portuguese Diego Cao landed with his three ships on the shores of the Congo River in 1482, he did not know its real name. DRC was called Nzari by the local population. The word Congo, in KiCongo, one of the local languages, means mountain, so they used that name as they saw ‘a mighty river flowing from the mountains’. From that moment, Europeans became familiar with the name Congo and so did the Christian missionaries.

The Catholic Church today is spread throughout the country. There are 48 dioceses with 4 602 priests in more than 1500 parishes and 3500 religious men and 7500 religious women. The DRC has an area of 2345 000 km2 and its population exceeded 96 million in 2021. Its capital, Kinshasa, currently has 17½ million inhabitants. Catholics make up 45% of the population; 40% Protestants and revivalist churches; 5% Kimbanguist indigenous church; and 5% Islam.

Pope Francis met with civil and religious authorities; delegations from the east of the country tormented by guerrilla warfare and violent atrocities; bishops, priests, the religious and seminarians in the Catholic community at Ndolo airport, and later met with young people at the Martyrs’ Stadium in Kinshasa. The Pope said: “The DRC is the green lung of the planet and is suffering from conflicts, forced migration and shameless exploitation. This immense country, full of life, is being hit as if by a fist to the stomach, by violence. I come to you as a pilgrim of peace and reconciliation”.

At the Martyrs’ Stadium in Kinshasa, on Thursday 2 February 2023, the Pope said to the young people: “I would like to ask you now, for a few moments, not to look at me, but at your hands: a striking image of what you are in the country. The thumb corresponds to prayer. Let’s look at the second finger, community; the third finger, honesty; the ring finger, forgiveness; and finally, service for the little finger”. As a great catechist, Pope Francis gave the young people of Kinshasa a lesson they will never forget. Finally, he pronounced these words: “Never be discouraged! Jesus believes in you and never leaves you alone. DRC is waiting for a different future placed in your hands. May your country become again, thanks to you, a fraternal garden, the heart of peace and freedom for Africa!

Pilgrim of unity in South Sudan

Pope Francis left DRC, home to Africa’s largest and most dynamic Church, on 3 February 2023, to travel to South Sudan, home to the Church in Africa most wounded and immersed in suffering. Msgr Christian Carlassare MCCJ, Bishop of Rumbek, presented his country of adoption in the following manner: “South Sudan, the youngest country in the world, independent since 9 July 2011, needs peace and sustainable development. From the point of view of structures, the Pope will find a very simple Church, always at the side of the people, which has suffered because of divisions and the struggle for power, but now it is joyful and full of hope. All seven dioceses have an African bishop; the only non-Sudanese is me, but the people have adopted me, especially after I was shot in the legs on 25 April 2021. To promote unity among Christians and the whole population, we organised a pilgrimage on foot. A hundred young people walked the 400 km with me from Rumbek to Juba to welcome the Pope”.

South Sudan has an area of 644 329 km2 and a population of 12½ million. Christians are the majority: 40% Catholics and 20% Protestants. The country is very rich in oil though its wealth has led to tribal conflicts, especially between the Dinka and the Nuer. Since 2013, these fights have caused more than 400 000 deaths, 2½ million refugees and 1½ million internally displaced people—an unsustainable situation. To speak about peace and reconciliation, Pope Francis came accompanied by the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Ian Green Shields. The three religious leaders gave an example of ecumenical prayer. At the John Garang Mausoleum in Juba, on 4 February 2023, in the presence of 100 000 worshippers and in front of the Dinka President Salva Kiir and the Nuer Vice-President Riek Machar, the Pope spoke in favour of peace and national reconciliation: “We Christians,” he said, “though we are small in number, can make our contribution to change history. Jesus proposes that we be like salt: a little bit is enough to give flavour to the whole food.”

Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphiel, Archbishop of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, commenting on Pope Francis’ visit to South Sudan, said: “The leaders of South Sudan must listen to Pope Francis’ calls for reconciliation and peace. The conflicts have caused suffering, destruction and so many deaths. There are millions of refugees because of the fighting between the leaders. South Sudan is a rich country, specially with its oil. Young people and children are asking for a normal life. When the Pope spoke about peace, reconciliation, forgiveness and conviviality between different tribes, people applauded loudly. It is a cry that must be heard.” (Vatican news, 7 February 2023). A cry of confidence and hope.