Pope Francis landed on Tuesday, January 31 in the early afternoon, at Kinshasa airport, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The pontiff is in the country for a four-day visit, before heading to South Sudan. In his first speech, the pope denounced the “economic colonialism” which “is unleashed” in Africa.
François, smiling, on the tarmac of the international airport of Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo: these are the first images of the pope’s visit to the DRC which starts this Tuesday, January 31 and should last four days. His plane, which left Tuesday morning from Rome, landed shortly after 3:30 p.m. local time in Kinshasa. As the aircraft descended, the pope, in a wheelchair due to his health problems, was greeted by Congolese Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge.
The crowd began to gather in the morning around the airport to celebrate the arrival of the sovereign pontiff. Residents of the capital, but also some from afar, had gathered to receive the Pope’s blessing on the main roads.
After a welcome ceremony at the airport, François went to the Palais de la Nation in the Congolese capital to be received by President Félix Tshisekedi. A one-on-one that lasted about twenty minutes.
#RDC 31.01.2023|#PalaisdelaNation
After having solemnly welcomed Pope Francis, this afternoon, at the Palais de la Nation, the Head of State, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo talks, one-on-one, with the Sovereign Pontiff. pic.twitter.com/g3esikwXbm– DRC Presidency ?? (@Presidence_RDC) January 31, 2023
“Take your hands off the Democratic Republic of Congo, take your hands off Africa! »
It was therefore at the presidential palace that the pope delivered his first speech. It was first President Félix Tshisekedi who gave a very political welcome speech, centered on the situation in the east of the country, a zone of rupture of peace, he said where “oBesides armed groups, foreign powers hungry for minerals contained in our subsoil, commit with the direct and cowardly support of our neighbor Rwanda, cruel atrocities “. He thanked the pope for his interest in peace in the east of the country, reports our special correspondent Veronique Gaymard.
I take this opportunity to thank you verbally, on behalf of the entire Congolese population, for the interest you have always shown in the security situation of our country, in your fervent prayers for peace in its eastern part. .
Felix Tshisekedi, President of the DRC
For his part, Pope Francis spoke strong words, comparing the country and its people to a “ precious diamond of inestimable value “, a huge country full of life, “ africa diaphragm “. He denounced a forgotten genocide from which the Congo suffers and eastern populations for several years. Finally, he pleaded for the convergence of forces to achieve peace.
A very political speech in front of the authorities and the diplomatic corps, where Pope Francis strongly denounced “ economic colonialism ” who “ unleashed in Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This country, largely looted, therefore does not manage to take sufficient advantage of its immense resources: we have arrived at the paradox that the fruits of its land make it “foreign” to its inhabitants. The poison of greed has bloodied his diamonds. It is a drama to which the more economically advanced world often closes its eyes, ears and mouths.
Pope Francis
” After political colonialism, an equally enslaving economic colonialism was unleashed. This country, largely looted, therefore fails to take sufficient advantage of its immense resources. “, he lamented, to applause, during a very political speech before the authorities and the diplomatic corps.
“ Take your hands off the Democratic Republic of Congo, take your hands off Africa! Stop suffocating Africa: it is not a mine to be exploited nor a land to be plundered”launched the Pope to applause, 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 land to be plundered. May Africa be the protagonist of its destiny! #ApostolicJourney
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex_fr) January 31, 2023
A call that resonates particularly in a country with an immense wealth and fertile soil, where two thirds of the approximately 100 million inhabitants live on less than 2.15 dollars a day.
” Looking at these people, one gets the impression that the international community has almost resigned itself to the violence that is devouring it. We cannot get used to the blood that has been flowing in this country, for decades now, causing millions of deaths unbeknownst to many. We need to know what is happening here, that the ongoing peace processes – which I encourage with all my strength – are supported in practice and that commitments are kept “, also hammered the pope.
On Tuesday evening, thousands of people are expected to gather at Ndolo airport for a prayer vigil ahead of Wednesday morning mass. One million worshipers are expected there.
(With AFP)
► To read also: The pope, his history, his role, his power