During the Angelus prayer on the solemnity of Christ the King, this Sunday, November 23, the Pope delivered a message marked by concern and pain in the face of the wave of kidnappings affecting Christian communities in Nigeria and Cameroon. The Pontiff made a vehement appeal for the immediate release of priests, faithful, and students kidnapped in recent days, and urged governments to adopt “the necessary measures” to stop the violence.
The message also included a greeting to the participants of World Youth Day in the dioceses, as well as a reference to his upcoming apostolic journey to Turkey and Lebanon.
We leave below the message of the Holy Father:
Dear brothers and sisters:
Before praying the Angelus together, I wish to greet all those who have participated in this jubilee celebration, especially the choirs and choruses from all over the world. Thank you for your presence! May the Lord bless your service!
I extend my greeting to all the other pilgrims, especially to the Christian Associations of Italian Workers (A.C.L.I.), from the diocese of Teramo-Atri and to the faithful from some dioceses of Ukraine: take home the embrace and prayer of this square!
With immense sadness I received the news of the kidnapping of priests, faithful, and students in Nigeria and Cameroon. I feel deep pain, especially for the numerous young people kidnapped and for their anguished families. I make a vehement appeal for the immediate release of the hostages and urge the competent Authorities to adopt the necessary measures to achieve it. Let us pray for these brothers and sisters of ours, and that churches and schools may always and everywhere remain safe spaces of hope.
Today World Youth Day is celebrated in the dioceses around the world. I bless and embrace spiritually those who participate 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 themselves to His Kingdom of love, justice, and peace.
My apostolic journey to Turkey and Lebanon is already near. In Turkey, the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea will be celebrated. For this reason, today the Apostolic Letter In unitate fidei is published, which commemorates this historic event.
Now let us turn to the Virgin Mary, entrusting to her maternal intercession all these intentions and our prayer for peace.