A makeshift bomb exploded in a Catholic Church in Beni, in the province of North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, on Sunday, injuring two people. The bomb went off around 6 am local time (0400 GMT), about one hour ahead of scheduled Confirmations in the church. “They were targeting a large crowd because the ceremony

“Let us pray for all the victims of violence,” Pope Francis said in remarks to the faithful praying the Palm Sunday Angelus with him in St Peter’s Basilica on Palm Sunday, “especially those of this morning's attack in Indonesia, in front of the Cathedral of Makassar,” on the southwest coast of South Sulawesi.

"It's indescribable," said one worshipper, 53-year-old Martin Scekes, who survived the bombing and decided to stay. Mr. Scekes  told the Catholic Herald: "The Pope coming to see us will lift our hearts."

Christians have been waiting more than 20 years for a Pope to come see them, after St John Paul II's pilgrimage was abandoned when talks broke down with the then-President Saddam Hussein. Security concerns prevented successor Pope Benedict XVI accepting an invitation. It's not only Christian communities who are excited.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was speaking to Italy's La Stampa newspaper. Guterres also said a security review of the incident is underway.

Significant other risks also attend the visit, long desired by Pope Francis and highly anticipated by the sorely tried people of the country. — Rome — The Apostolic Nuncio to Iraq, Archbishop Mitja Leskovar, has tested positive for coronavirus and is in isolation at a site removed from the nunciature — the Vatican embassy —

Bishops have spoken out about the failure to release the report from the presidential inquiry into the Easter Sunday attacks, which killed more than 260 people and injured more than 500.

36-year-old Sonia Tabizadafaces up to $250,000 in fines, and up to 20 years in prison.