{"id":2468095,"date":"2025-07-29T08:51:56","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T12:51:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pope-leo-mourns-those-killed-in-attack-on-catholic-church-by-isis-backed-rebels\/"},"modified":"2025-07-29T08:53:01","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T12:53:01","slug":"pope-leo-mourns-those-killed-in-attack-on-catholic-church-by-isis-backed-rebels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pope-leo-mourns-those-killed-in-attack-on-catholic-church-by-isis-backed-rebels\/","title":{"rendered":"Pope Leo mourns those killed in attack on Catholic church by ISIS-backed rebels"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpope-leo-mourns-those-killed-in-attack-on-catholic-church-by-isis-backed-rebels%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2468095&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Pope Leo XIV expressed deep sorrow and mourning for the victims of a violent attack on a Catholic church in Komanda,Congo,carried out by Islamic State-backed rebels. The attack, which occurred during a Sunday worship service, resulted in the deaths of at least 43 people. in a telegram sent on the pope&#8217;s behalf by Cardinal Pietro Parolin to Archbishop Fulgence Muteba Mugalu, Pope Leo XIV prayed that the blood of the martyrs would become a seed for peace, reconciliation, fraternity, and love throughout the Congolese people. the attack has <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >drawn strong international condemnation<\/a>, including statements from France and the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the region, both condemning the violence as a serious violation of international humanitarian law.U.S. officials, including Vicky Hartzler from the Commission on International Religious Freedom, called the attack deeply alarming and urged for increased support to counter the ongoing threat posed by ISIS-affiliated Armed Democratic Forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Pope Leo mourns those killed in attack on Catholic church by ISIS-backed rebels<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2183715\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pope-leo-xiv\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Pope Leo XIV<\/a> mourned those killed in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3483414\/islamic-state-backed-rebels-attackcatholic-church-eastern-congo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">violent attack <\/a>on a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/catholic-church\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Catholic church<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/congo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Congo<\/a> on Sunday by Islamic State-backed rebels.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pope-leo-mourns-those-killed-in-attack-on-catholic-church-by-isis-backed-rebels-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"... those killed in ... on ... by ... - Washington Examiner\">pontiff expressed sympathy<\/a> and regret over the murders and wished for peace in the region. The attack left 43 people dead, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2025\/7\/28\/isil-claims-responsibility-for-deadly-church-attack-in-eastern-dr-congo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">according<\/a> to a United Nations representative.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3484776\/nyc-shane-tamura-targeting-nfl-headquarters-eric-adams\/\">NYC gunman was targeting NFL headquarters: Eric Adams<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3484261\/group-calls-trump-slap-tough-tariffs-china-screwed-ad\/\">Group calls on Trump to slap &#8216;tough tariffs&#8217; on China in &#8216;Screwed&#8217; ad<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3484278\/group-behind-biden-autopen-inquiry-doj-stonewalling\/\">Group behind Biden autopen inquiry slams DOJ for &#8216;unacceptable&#8217; stonewalling<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;His Holiness Pope Leo XIV learned with dismay and deep sorrow of the attack perpetrated against the Parish of Blessed Anuarite in Komanda, which caused the death of several faithful gathered for worship,&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vaticannews.va\/en\/pope\/news\/2025-07\/pope-leo-telegram-parolin-attack-catholic-church-drc-komanda.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said<\/a> Cardinal Pietro Parolin, reportedly sent in a telegram message on the pope&rsquo;s behalf to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.catholic-hierarchy.org\/bishop\/bmuteba.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Archbishop Fulgence Muteba Mugalu<\/a>, president of the Congolese Bishops&rsquo; Conference.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;His Holiness implores God that the blood of these martyrs may become a seed of peace, reconciliation, fraternity, and love for the entire Congolese people,&rdquo; the telegram <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aciafrica.org\/news\/16753\/pope-leo-xiv-sends-message-of-deep-sorrow-after-islamist-militants-kill-over-30-at-catholic-parish-in-dr-congo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">read<\/a>. &ldquo;The Holy Father sends his Apostolic Blessing to the Bienheureuse-Anuarite Parish in Komanda, especially to the bereaved families, as well as to the daughters and sons of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the whole nation.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&rdquo;May the blood of these martyrs become a seed of peace, reconciliation, fraternity, and love for the Congolese people,&rdquo; Leo said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The attack also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/canadas-use-of-terrorist-laws-against-peaceful-protest-draws-international-condemnation\/\" title=\"Canada&#039;s Use of Terrorist Laws Against Peaceful Protest Draws International Condemnation\">drew international condemnation<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;France condemns in the strongest possible terms the July 27th attack by the Daesh-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces on a church in Komanda, located in Ituri province, in the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The attack, which occurred around 1 a.m., left at least 43 civilians dead,&rdquo; read a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/franceintheus.org\/spip.php?article989\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">statement<\/a> by the French Foreign Affairs Ministry.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;France expresses its solidarity with the Congolese government and offers its condolences to the victims&rsquo; families and loved ones,&rdquo; it added. &ldquo;France stands with the Congolese authorities in their effort to combat terrorist groups and protect the Congolese people.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a peacekeeping mission in the region, expressed outrage at the attack, telling <em>Newsweek<\/em> that the slaughter was a &ldquo;heinous act of violence&rdquo; and &ldquo;serious violation of international humanitarian law and infringements on human rights.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;These targeted attacks against defenseless civilians, particularly in places of worship, are not only appalling, but also in violation of all human rights standards and international humanitarian law,&rdquo; <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/congo-church-attack-condemned-reactions-2105377\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said<\/a> Vivian van de Perre, acting head of the organization.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3473080\/doj-sees-breach-judicial-oath-judge-leaked-trump-criticism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DOJ SEES &lsquo;BREACH OF THE JUDICIAL OATH&rsquo; IN JUDGE&rsquo;S LEAKED TRUMP CRITICISM<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Vicky Hartzler, chairwoman of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, said the attack by the ISIS-backed rebels was &ldquo;deeply alarming&rdquo; and called on the U.S. to provide support.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The recent increase in attacks on Christians and other religious communities by the ISIS-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo is deeply alarming,&rdquo; Hartzler <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/congo-church-attack-condemned-reactions-2105377\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said<\/a> in a statement to <em>Newsweek<\/em>. &ldquo;The most recent attack is particularly disturbing as it targeted a place of worship during an evening service &mdash; individuals should have the freedom to worship without the fear of putting one&rsquo;s life at risk. USCIRF strongly condemns these attacks and calls on the U.S. government to provide all possible support to curtail this disturbing trend.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2183715\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2183715\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pope Leo mourns victims of ISIS-backed attack on Congo church<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2677,"featured_media":2468096,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/PopeLeoXIV-1024x683.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[33551,60160,32219,55381,60161],"class_list":["post-2468095","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-catholic-church","tag-isis-attack","tag-middle-east-conflict","tag-pope-leo","tag-religious-violence"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/PopeLeoXIV-1024x683.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2468095","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2677"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2468095"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2468095\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2468099,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2468095\/revisions\/2468099"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2468096"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2468095"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2468095"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2468095"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}