The government "has lost its moral legitimacy" and new polls are needed, the South African Council of Churches said.

"Whoever was opposed to Bishop Okpaleke taking possession of the diocese wants to destroy the church. This is forbidden," the pope said.

Catholic leaders in Cameroon have urged prayers for one of the African country's bishops, whose remains were pulled from a river on June 2, three days after his apparent suicide.

Congo's Ministry of Health has approved the use of an experimental anti-Ebola vaccine to combat the disease. This is a radical step, but one the World Health Organization approves.

With the civil war worsening and famine spreading, Pope Francis already in March had expressed doubts about the possibility of making the trip.

Killing Others provides an erudite yet accessible introduction to the origins and causes of ethnic violence.