The following is the telegram of condolence sent on behalf of the Holy Father Leo XIV by His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Archbishop Fulgence Muteba Mugalu, president of the National Episcopal Conference of the Congo (CENCO), on the attack on the Bienheureuse-Anuarite parish of Komanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo:

Telegram

HIS EXCELLENCY
ARCHBISHOP FULGENCE MUTEBA MUGALU
PRESIDENT OF CENCO
KINSHASA

HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV HAS LEARNED WITH CONSTERNATION AND PROFOUND SORROW OF THE ATTACK AGAINST THE BIENHEUREUSE-ANUARITE PARISH OF KOMANDA IN THE PROVINCE OF ITURI, WHICH CAUSED THE DEATH OF SEVERAL FAITHFUL, GATHERED IN WORSHIP. HE MOURNS WITH THE GRAVELY AFFLICTED FAMILIES AND CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY, EXPRESSING HIS CLOSENESS TO THEM AND ASSURING THEM OF HIS PRAYER. THIS TRAGEDY IS A FURTHER INVITATION TO USTO WORK FOR THE INTEGRAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT OF THE WOUNDED POPULATION OF THIS REGION. HIS HOLINESS IMPLORES GOD THAT THE BLOOD OF THESE MARTYRS MAY BE A SEED OF PEACE, RECONCILIATION, BROTHERHOOD AND LOVE FOR THE ENTIRE CONGOLESE PEOPLE. THE HOLY FATHER SENDS HIS APOSTOLIC BLESSING TO THE BIENHEUREUSE-ANUARITE PARISH OF KOMANDA, ESPECIALLY TO THE BEREAVED FAMILIES, AS WELL AS TO THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO AND TO THE ENTIRE NATION.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE OF HIS HOLINESS