Pope Leo asked on Sunday, November 23 for the immediate release of children and staff abducted this week from a Catholic school in Niger state.
Recall, gunmen attacked and kidnapped students and teachers from St Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger state, the latest in a spate of school attacks this week that has forced the government to shut 47 colleges.
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“I was deeply saddened to learn of the kidnappings of priests, faithful, and students in Nigeria and Cameroon. I feel great pain, especially for the many young men and women who have been abducted and for their anguished families,” Pope Leo said at the end of a mass in St. Peter’s Square.
“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 added.
“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.”