Pope Francis sends prayers for church bombing victims ahead of Congo visit

The scene of a suicide bombing at the Eglise CEPAC (CEPAC Church) that killed dozen of people in an attack claimed by the Islamic State, in Kasindi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Jan. 16, 2023. [VOA]

Pope Francis on Tuesday sent his condolences to the victims of a bombing on a Pentecostal church in eastern Congo, an attack claimed by Islamic militants two weeks before the pontiff is due to arrive in the country.

Authorities say Sunday's bombing in Kasindi, a town in North Kivu province, killed at least 14 people and injured more than 60. The Islamic State group and its Aamaq news outlet said militants had planted an explosive device inside the church and detonated it while people were praying.