In his Angelus address Nov. 23, Pope Leo XIV called for the immediate release of priests, faithful, and students who were kidnapped in Nigeria and Cameroon.
Students and staff were abducted Nov. 21 from Saint Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Nigeria, as CatholicVote previously reported. Papiri is in Niger State.
Nigerian Tribune reported Nov. 23 that Niger, Plateau, and Taraba State governments closed all primary and secondary schools – public and private – “including tertiary institutions in vulnerable parts of their states.”
According to Vatican News, “giving an upward update on the number of victims,” Kontagora Diocese Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna confirmed that 315 students and staff had been abducted from the diocesan school, which is managed by the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles.
Vatican News reported in a different article that six Catholic priests and a Baptist pastor were kidnapped in Cameroon.
Pope Leo said in his Angelus message, “I feel great pain, above all for the many young men and women who have been abducted and for their distressed families. I make a heartfelt appeal for the immediate release of the hostages and urge the competent authorities to take appropriate and timely decisions to ensure their release.”
He also asked the faithful to pray.
“Let us pray for these brothers and sisters of ours, and that churches and schools may always and everywhere remain places of safety and hope,” he said.
Reuters reported Nov. 23 that 50 of the students kidnapped in Nigeria have escaped and been reunited with their parents, but about 253 children and 12 staff members and teachers are still held captive, according to Bishop Yohanna.
As Nigerian Tribune reported, Bishop Yohanna has asked the faithful to remain calm and keep praying and the Church will collaborate with local authorities to try to bring everyone who was kidnapped safely home.
Before leading the faithful in asking for the Blessed Mother’s intercession in the Angelus, the Pope greeted and blessed pilgrims, who included choirs gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica for their Jubilee celebration.
He also announced the publication of the Apostolic Letter In Unitate Fidei, which marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. He is leaving Nov. 27 for his first Apostolic Journey, which will be to Türkiye and Lebanon.
Further, he called to mind celebrations of World Youth Day and prayed “that every young person may discover the beauty and joy of following him, the Lord, and dedicating him or herself to his Kingdom of love, justice and peace.”
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