Pope hears harrowing tales of Congo violence and says: 'Enough!'

FILE PHOTO: People walk next to the billboard of Pope Francis a day ahead of his arrival in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo January 30, 2023. REUTERS/Luc Gnago/File Photo

KINSHASA (Reuters) -Pope Francis heard harrowing accounts from victims of conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, including rape, amputation, forced cannibalism and sexual slavery, and he condemned the atrocities as war crimes.

In a poignant encounter at the Vatican's embassy in the capital Kinshasa, victim after victim told their story to the pontiff before laying down objects symbolising their suffering, such as a machete or a dagger, before a large wooden crucifix.