On July 27th, a Catholic church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Blessed Anuarite Parish of Komanda, was attacked by Islamic State militants, who killed at least ten civilians and set fire to the surrounding shops and homes. Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram of condolences and blessing to Bishop Fulgence Muteba Mugalu, Archbishop of Lubumbashi in the DRC, urging for peace.
Telegram from the Holy Father – signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin – regarding the attack on the Bienheureuse-Anuarite Parish of Komanda (Democratic Republic of the Congo), 28.07.2025
We publish below the telegram of condolence from His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for the attack on the Bienheureuse-Anuarite Parish of Komanda in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, sent in the name of Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to His Excellency Bishop Fulgence Muteba Mugalu, President of CENCO:
Telegram
To His Excellency
Bishop Fulgence Muteba Mugalu
President of CENCO
Kinshasa
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV learned with dismay and deep sorrow of the attack perpetrated against the Bienheureuse-Anuarite Parish of Komanda in the Province of Ituri, which caused the death of several faithful gathered for worship. He shares in the mourning of the families and the Christian community so gravely affected, expressing his closeness to them and assuring them of his prayers.
This tragedy further calls us to work for the integral human development of the wounded population of this region. His Holiness implores God that the blood of these martyrs may become a seed of peace, reconciliation, fraternity, and love for all the Congolese people.
The Holy Father sends his Apostolic Blessing to the Bienheureuse-Anuarite Parish of Komanda, especially to the grieving families, as well as to the sons and daughters of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the entire nation.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State of His Holiness