Islamic-backed rebels reportedly killed at least 43 people in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, including raiding a Catholic church early Sunday.

On Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV expressed his “deep sorrow” over the deadly attack on the church in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo which take place the night between July 26 and 27.

At least 21 people were killed on Sunday in an attack on church premises in eastern Congo by Islamic State-backed rebels, according to a civil society leader.