Central African Republic President asks Pope's 'forgiveness' for sectarian violence

Interim leader of the Central African Republic, Catherine Samba Panza holds a welcome speech in front of Pope Francis at the State House in Bangui, on November 29, 2015. (Photo: AFP)

Central African Republic's interim president Catherine Samba-Panza on Sunday asked for "forgiveness" from Pope Francis for two years of "evil" sectarian violence she dubbed "a descent into hell".

"Central Africans have inflicted unspeakable suffering on other Central Africans," she said on meeting the pope in the capital, Bangui, where the situation remains volatile.