Angelus: Pope prays for victims of massacre in Haiti, calls for release of hostages
The message comes after more than 100 gunmen attacked a town near Haiti’s capital during an overnight raid, killing a number of residents and kidnapping others. In the same address, Pope Leo also prayed for the victims of the flood in Nepal and Tibet; latest reports state that the death toll has risen to at least 900 and thousands are reported missing.
During his Aug. 30 Angelus address, Pope Leo XIV expressed spiritual closeness to those mourning the death of loved ones killed in an overnight raid in a town near Haiti’s capital earlier in the week, urging authorities to quell all forms of violence.
“Tragic reports are emerging from Haiti of the horrific massacre carried out in Kenscoff, in which numerous people have lost their lives and others taken hostage,” he said in the address given at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, about an hour from the Vatican. “I express my spiritual closeness to the victims and their families, and call for the immediate release of all hostages.”
Around 150 gunmen attacked Kenscoff during an overnight raid Aug. 23, according to the Miami Herald. The extent of the killings remains unclear, as the Haitian government death toll count is about 26, while the United Nations (UN) has estimated 47, the outlet reported in a separate Aug. 25 article. The attackers also carried out a mass kidnapping, as more than 50 people were taken in the raid, the UN reported.
One gang leader threatened to kill hostages if authorities execute any gang member in response, the outlet added.
Along with the attacks on human life, the town’s mayor, Massillon Jean, said the gangs destroyed at least 25 homes and other structures with fires, the Miami Herald reported.
In the wake of the violence, Pope Leo urged public leaders to act.
“I make a heartfelt appeal to all those in positions of authority to take concrete steps in order to ensure the safety of the population and put an end to all forms of violence,” he said.
He also expressed renewed prayers for those suffering from the flood that struck Nepal and Tibet. Catastrophic flooding began Aug. 26 wrecked the border of Nepal and China, with the death toll now higher than 950, and more than 4,400 people missing, AP News reported. Hundreds of workers are feared to be trapped in tunnels where they were working on hydropower projects.
Pope Leo urged Catholics to pray.
“Let us pray for those who have lost their lives, for the injured, those missing, for the families and rescue workers,” he said. “May the concern of everyone help to alleviate the suffering and provide the necessary aid to the people affected.”
Amid the harrowing events afflicting communities around the world, Pope Leo then encouraged everyone to pray specifically for peace.
He recalled the words of St. Augustine underscoring how peace can be miraculously multiplied like the bread broken and distributed by the disciples.
“May there be an increase in the world of those who courageously break and share the bread of peace, overcoming divisions, promoting justice and practicing forgiveness for the good of all,” Pope Leo said.
Before leading the Angelus prayer and commenting on international situations, the Pontiff reflected on the Sunday Gospel, which was about a conversation between Jesus and Peter about the death Jesus would suffer. Peter struggles with the Lord’s words, surprised and perhaps disappointed by them, Pope Leo noted.
“For us, too, in fact, it is not always easy to understand and accept God’s ways, especially when they are very far from our own,” he said. “Then the temptation arises — against all the reasoning of faith — to think that the Lord is the one who is wrong, or worse still, that he is not listening to us or is not concerned about us. Faced with this uncertainty, Peter, even in his impulsiveness, teaches us two important things.
“The first is, even in such moments, never to cease our dialogue with the Lord. Instead, we are confidently to tell him our difficulty in understanding what he is asking of us. The second is never to judge God’s work, but rather humbly and prayerfully to listen to what he is revealing to us through his actions, even when they do not meet our expectations.”
He noted that after listening to Jesus, Peter ultimately accepts Jesus’ call, takes up his cross, and follows him even unto martyrdom. Pope Leo encouraged the faithful to pray for the grace to have the same sincerity as Peter by telling Jesus one’s true thoughts, even when confused, and accepting Jesus’ will.
“May Mary help us,” the Pontiff concluded, “for she was obedient to God’s plans even at the foot of the cross of her Son Jesus.”
