DRC declares off day in Kinshasa ahead of Pope Francis visit

The Congolese government announced an imminent lockdown of the capital Kinshasa ahead of the visit by Pope Francis from Tuesday afternoon. The Pope’s Apostolic Journey is aimed at taking a message of reconciliation and peace to the countries, which have been plagued by civil unrest.

Officials in DRC announced an off day, shutting down schools for Wednesday “to allow the faithful to attend religious services, including the mass that the Pope will officiate on Wednesday at Ndolo airport”, according to a statement from the prime minister.

In Kinshasa, the Catholic Church and the government have mobilised residents for the momentous occasion in a bid to sow seeds of peace among the Congolese. DRC is largest Catholic country in Africa, with at least 40 million faithful.

The Pope will not go to North Kivu, the epicentre of the conflict in DRC, but he will receive survivors of armed conflicts from this province who are expected ask him to launch an appeal to stop the war.

DR Congo, which is experiencing multiple crises especially in the east, hopes to find comfort in the arrival of Francis, a first trip by a Pope since 1985.