Pope Leo XIV mourned those killed in the violent attack on a Catholic Church in the Congo on Sunday by ISIS-backed rebels. The pontiff expressed sympathy and regret over the murders and wished for peace in the region.

The attack is believed to have been carried out by members of the Allied Democratic Force (ADF) armed with machetes.

At least 34 people were killed in an attack on church premises in eastern Congo by Islamic State-backed rebels, according to a civil society leader.