Pope Francis appealed for calm in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo as Joseph Kabila, the nation’s president since 2001, prepared to
remain in office beyond the constitutional term limit.The presidential election, originally scheduled for this year, has been delayed until at least 2018.
“I ask you all to pray that dialogue in the Democratic Republic of Congo might unfold with serenity,” the Holy Father said, “in order that all manner of violence be avoided, and [to pray] for the good of the whole country.”