PAPAL APPEAL TO END VIOLENCE IN THE CONGO

VATICAN CITY, JUN 11, 2000 (VIS) - Following the Regina Coeli prayer today, Pope John Paul issued an appeal for an end to the violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, saying "once again, my thoughts turn to Africa: once again the heart of Africa is bleeding!"

"In recent days the populations of the city of Kisangani, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, were taken hostage by the violence of armed factions warring among themselves. Even Church institutions were not spared. There were hundreds of dead and wounded.

"I appeal to the responsibility and sensitivity of the political and military authorities and I pray God to make the voice of conscience echo in them: Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo in particular, needs reconciliation and peace. May Mary Most Holy, Queen of Peace, intercede for us!"

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