President Felix Tshisekedi completed his visit with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Friday before heading on an official visit to the United Kingdom.

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 The president of Democratic Republic of Congo discussed the country’s Framework Agreement with the Vatican, while emphasizing the role the influential Roman Catholic Church has played in advancing democracy among the Congolese. Notably, its bishops played a key role in pressing for the removal of former president Joseph Kabila in 2016 after his constitutionally limited two terms expired, called for elections, and challenged the results that, ironically, put Tshisekedi in office.

The Church constitutes an important social body with its 35 million faithful. Over 60% of schools, two universities and hospitals are run by the Church. Observers from Cenco (The National Episcopal Conference of the Congo was involved in the "national dialogue" for the establishment of a presidential election, editor's note) were very skeptical about the results of the 2018 presidential elections. The Congolese Church ended up accepting the verdict giving Félix Tshisekedi the winner.

Part of the Catholic community in the country believes that the Church should have remained in its spiritual role and not been involved as much on the issue of political transition.

The President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi, spoke with Pope Francis this Friday, January 17, during an official meeting at the residence of the Holy Father.

Sources say the head of state’s visit was part of improving relations between the DRC and the Vatican. Indeed, the Archbishop of Kinshasa, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, had talks with President Tshisekedi as a prelude to this trip.

An interview at the end of which some analysts had agreed that the aim would be to consolidate this relationship between Félix Tshisekedi and the Catholic Church which had indeed questioned the validity of the results of the presidential election in December 2018.

This second visit of Félix Tshisekedi to Pope Francis is a sign of rapprochement between the government and the church which closely follows the country's national policy and is critical of the actions of the coalition regime.

Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Editor


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