The deadly incident occurred around 1 a.m. on July 27 at the Parish of Blessed Anuarite in Komanda, a town in Ituri province. Armed fighters from the Allied Democratic Forces, a militia aligned with ISIS, stormed the church during an evening mass attended by local civilians.

This massacre adds to a growing list of attacks by the ADF in the region, where violence from armed groups has plagued communities for years. According to a representative of the United Nations on the ground, the early estimate reported that at least 43 civilians lost their lives during the raid.

Pope Leo XIV conveyed his condolences shortly after news of the massacre broke. Through a telegram sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin to Archbishop Fulgence Muteba Mugalu, president of the Congolese Bishops’ Conference, the Holy Father shared his grief with the Congolese Catholic community.

Pope sends blessing and plea for peace

“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,” Cardinal Parolin said in the message.

The Pope’s message emphasized a call for healing, requesting that the sacrifices made by those who died serve as a source of future unity. “May the blood of these martyrs become a seed of peace, reconciliation, fraternity, and love for the Congolese people,” it read.

Additionally, Pope Leo XIV offered his Apostolic Blessing to the local parish and extended it to the entire nation. He expressed a desire to bring comfort to grieving families and all people impacted by the tragic event.

France and the UN respond strongly to violence

The French government firmly condemned the incident. The nation’s Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement describing the attack as an “appalling act” that targeted innocent civilians inside a place of worship.

The French statement also reaffirmed support for the Congolese government and encouraged ongoing efforts to combat terrorist threats across the region. France offered condolences to those mourning and vowed solidarity in addressing future challenges.

International organizations echoed the condemnation. The United Nations’ Peacekeeping Mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCO, called the act a “serious violation of humanitarian principles,” further stating that such violence defies basic human standards.

U.S. religious freedom commission weighs in

Vivian van de Perre, acting head of MONUSCO, added that strikes on religious centers are violations of both human rights and moral principles. She emphasized that civilians should be allowed to worship freely without fear of harm.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom also released a formal response. Chairwoman Vicky Hartzler highlighted the troubling rise in attacks directed at Christian and other religious communities in the Congo in recent months.

“The most recent attack is particularly disturbing as it targeted a place of worship during an evening service,” Hartzler said. She voiced concern for the safety of religious groups across the region and called this latest incident especially egregious.

Global calls for action and security

Hartzler called on the U.S. government to respond to the escalating threat. “USCIRF strongly condemns these attacks and calls on the U.S. government to provide all possible support to curtail this disturbing trend,” she said in her statement.

The attack on the Parish of Blessed Anuarite marked not only a human tragedy but also served as a grim reminder of the dangers that religious communities face in volatile regions. Armed groups operating under extremist ideologies have increased their reach in many parts of eastern Congo.

Local officials continue to gather information and assist grieving families. Security forces were dispatched to the Komanda area after the attack, though exact details of the operation remain limited at this time.