Thousands line Kinshasa streets to welcome Pope

Tens of thousands of people lined the streets of Kinshasa cheering wildly as Pope Francis passed in his pope mobile shortly after landing at the airport on Tuesday.

Francis plunged headfirst into his agenda upon arrival, denouncing in an opening speech the centuries-long exploitation of Africa by colonial powers, today’s multinational extraction industries. Aid groups had hoped Francis’ six-day trip would shine a spotlight on the forgotten conflicts of Congo and South Sudan and their soaring humanitarian costs.