In a raised voice against the exploitation of Africa’s resources, Pope Francis spoke passionately about the suffering caused by looting by multinational corporations and some local leaders. He challenged the accumulation of wealth that comes at the expense of the weak, urging a halt to the plunder that finances conflict and deepens poverty across the continent.
The Pontiff called on all people and on both internal and external organizations to confront those who pull the strings of war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He accused those who profit from destruction, from the illicit use of the country’s assets, and from the bloodshed of innocent victims, insisting that the gains reaped through exploitation only widen the harm endured by many communities.
The remarks were delivered in Kinshasa, after the Vatican released a communiqué detailing the violence, trafficking, and assaults that have marred the region. The report highlighted brutal episodes, including mutilations, rapes, and massacres, underscoring the harsh reality of the renewed clashes between state forces and various armed groups.
put something in pieces
A number of witnesses described the horrors of the conflict in stark terms. They recalled a 16-year-old victim whose life was tragically cut short while attempting to provide aid to a father in danger, a memory that remains vivid in the accounts compiled by international news agencies. The sorrow of those affected and the fear felt by communities living through the violence were evident in every testimony.
Observers noted that the violence is not only a product of external actors but is compounded by internal interests that profit from chaos. The Pope emphasized that the cycle of war is sustained by greed for raw materials and money, a buysell dynamic that fuels an armed economy and propagates instability and corruption. He described the situation as a collective fault that implicates many, urging a clear admission of responsibility and a commitment to change.
forgiveness
Shortly after the Pope was greeted by a vast, diverse crowd in Kinshasa, he delivered a message centered on forgiveness. The crowd, which was large and animated, represented a spectrum of voices and aspirations. Francis spoke from a place of humility, signaling that reconciliation begins when wounds are acknowledged and peace is pursued without pretending the past can be erased instantly.
He spoke of a world scarred by violence where true peace emerges not from erasing memory but from healing it. Love, he said, invites people to welcome others, recognize shared humanity, and admit personal weaknesses. The plea was for a path that does not erase harm but transforms it through compassion, dialogue, and concrete acts of solidarity. The message resonated with many who hoped for relief from fear and a future free of domination by greed and bloodshed.