Pope Leo XIV pleads for the immediate release of priests, religious, and students kidnapped in Nigeria and Cameroon

23 April, 2026

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Exaudi Staff

Angelus , Leo XIV

23 November, 2025

3 min

Pope Leo XIV pleads for the immediate release of priests, religious, and students kidnapped in Nigeria and Cameroon

Strong appeal during the Angelus on the Solemnity of Christ the King

In his Angelus address this Sunday, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe, Pope Leo XIV devoted a good part of his reflection to the dramatic increase in kidnappings of Christians in West Africa, especially in Nigeria and Cameroon.

With a deeply moved voice, the Pope expressed: “It was with immense sadness that I received the news of the kidnapping of priests, faithful, and students in Nigeria and Cameroon. I feel profound sorrow, especially for the many young people kidnapped and for their anguished families.”

The Holy Father launched a vehement appeal: “I make an urgent and compelling appeal for the immediate release of the hostages and urge the competent authorities to take the necessary measures to achieve it.”

“Let us pray for these brothers and sisters of ours,” he continued, “and that churches and schools may always and everywhere remain safe spaces of hope.”

Before the Marian prayer, the Pope also greeted the choirs that had come from all over the world for the Jubilee, the Catholic Associations of International Cooperation (ACLI), the pilgrims from the Diocese of Teramo-Atri, and the Ukrainian faithful present in the square. He also mentioned World Youth Day, which is being celebrated today in dioceses worldwide, and announced the publication of the Apostolic Letter In unitate fidei on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, as well as his upcoming trip to Turkey and Lebanon.

After these words, the Holy Father invited everyone to entrust all these intentions to the Virgin Mary and prayed the Angelus, finally imparting the apostolic blessing to Rome and the world.

Full text of the Angelus:

SOLEMNITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE

POPE LEO XIV

ANGELUS

St Peter’s Square
Sunday, 23 November 2025

________________________________________

Dear brothers and sisters!

Before we raise our voices together for the Angelus prayer, I would like to greet all of you who have taken part in this Jubilee celebration, especially the choirs who have come from all over the world. Thank you for your presence! And may the Lord bless your service.

I extend my greetings to all the other pilgrims, in particular to the ACLI of the Teramo-Atri Diocese and to the faithful coming from several dioceses in Ukraine, take home with you the embrace and prayers of this square.

I was deeply saddened to learn of the kidnapping of priests, faithful, and students in Nigeria and Cameroon. 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. 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.

Today, dioceses around the world are celebrating World Youth Day. I bless and spiritually embrace all those taking part in the various celebrations and initiatives. On the feast of Christ the King, I pray 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.

My Apostolic Journey to Türkiye and Lebanon is now close. In Türkiye, the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea will be celebrated. For this reason, the Apostolic Letter In Unitate Fidei is being published today, commemorating this historic event.

Now let us turn to the Virgin Mary, entrusting all these intentions and our prayer for peace to her maternal intercession.

Exaudi Staff

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