(CNN) --
More than a million people attended a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Wednesday, the Vatican Press Office said, citing figures estimated by local authorities.
Francis' trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo — the first papal visit to the country since 1985 — comes as the African nation is beset by armed clashes and a worsening refugee crisis.
The visit is part of a six-day trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, two countries where Catholics make up about half the population and where the Church is a key player in the health and education systems, as well as as well as in the efforts to build democracy.
Both countries have abundant natural resources, but are dealing with poverty and conflict.
A CNN crew on site witnessed singing and dancing crowds at N'Dolo airport from the early hours of the morning hoping for their first glimpse of the pope, who toured the airfield in an open popemobile.
Pope Francis offered a mass in DRC.
Francis spoke to those in attendance during his homily about peace and directly challenged those who wield guns.
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"May the time be right for you, who in this country call yourself a Christian but commit violence," Francisco said.
“The Lord says to you: 'Lower your arms and embrace mercy'”.
"Christians are called to cooperate with everyone, to break the cycle of violence, to dismantle the machinations of hate," the pope said.
Francis said the population suffers from "painful wounds, continuously infected by hatred and violence, while the medicine of justice and the balm of hope never seem to arrive," according to Reuters.
Pope Francis said that homosexuality is a sin but "it is not a crime"
Decades of militia violence have gripped the Democratic Republic of the Congo as state forces struggle to rein in rebel groups.
The conflict between government troops and the M23 rebel group, which is seeking control of the country from its stronghold in eastern DRC, has left many dead and thousands displaced.
According to the UN World Food Program, 26 million people in the DRC face severe famine.
Francis met with victims of violence in the eastern part of the country during his visit and said he was "speechless" after hearing their harrowing stories.
"We can only cry in silence," the pope said, as he thanked the victims for their courageous testimony.
The Argentine pontiff is scheduled to leave Kinshasa this Friday for the capital of South Sudan, Juba, where he will be joined by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Iain Greenshields.
CNN's Nimi Princewill contributed to this article.
Democratic Republic of Congo