Pope Francis Prays for Migrants Aboard Flight Bound for Democratic Republic of Congo

Pope Francis landed in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday, January 31, marking the first papal visit to the nation since 1985, media reported.

Pope Francis addressed about 70 journalists while aboard the plane bound to the DRC, as he prayed for migrants who had died trying to cross the desert and the Mediterranean Sea, according to media.

Footage by Elise Ann Allen, a correspondent for Crux media, shows the scene. According to Allen, Pope Francis said he wanted to go to the eastern town of Goma, but he said “it wasn’t possible because of security. You can’t do everything.”

The pope landed at N’djili International Airport in the capital, Kinshasa, at 2:33 pm local time.

After his visit to the DRC, the pontiff is scheduled to travel to South Sudan, media said. Credit: Elise Ann Allen, Crux via Storyful