Pope prays for end to Congo violence

THOUSANDS of Congolese refugees have crammed into churches in Goma to pray for an end to fighting between Tutsi rebels and government soldiers and their allies.

After his usual Sunday address to crowds in St Peter's Square in Rome yesterday, Pope Benedict urged an end to the violence and "systematic atrocities" which have hampered aid workers' attempts to help tens of thousands of people who have fled what the United Nations has called a humanitarian "catastrophe".

Doctors in Kibati refugee camp, outside Goma, are struggling to contain an outbreak of cholera.

Sporadic conflict was breaking out in North Kivu province yesterday, despite new calls by African leaders for a ceasefire.