Pope Francis met with the embattled Congolese President Joseph Kabila on Monday in a brief sitting that has left many tongues wagging, wondering what could have been the agenda. Contrary to the Vatican’s protocol, the pontiff did not greet President Kabila in the reception area, but rather he waited for him in the Pope’s library. According to the Vatican, the Pope and Vatican foreign minister emphasized on the need for Congolese politicians, civil society and religious leaders to have a dialogue that will ensure peace and the common good of the people. “These victims are some, unfortunately, of the many innocents who have no weight in the international opinion,” the Pope stated. The Congolese constitution requires him to relinquish power in December when his second and final term ends.

Source: The North Africa Journal October 01, 2016 15:22 UTC