Pope Francis visited the central mosque in a highly dangerous neighborhood of this war-torn capital Monday and called for an end to a conflict that has frequently played out along religious lines, leaving more than 6,000 dead over the last two years.
Francis received one of the warmest welcomes of his five-day Africa trip in this Muslim neighborhood Monday, where he is trying to play the role of high-profile mediator.
The most challenging - and dangerous - part of his Africa trip came as he ventured into the Muslim community called PK-5 that has frequently been cut off from food and health-care services by mostly Christian militants.
"I don't think any other head of state would do what he's doing," said Lewis Mudge, a researcher at Human Rights Watch.
"I still can't believe he came," said Gaspar Ndjawe, a local resident, who watched the pope arrive on his open-air pope-mobile from across the street.
