Vatican City - Pope Leo XIV issued a fervent plea for global fraternity and peace Sunday, August 31, responding too the recent migrant shipwreck off the coast of Mauritania and escalating conflicts worldwide. Speaking during his Angelus prayer to thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope lamented a ”silent tragedy” unfolding in the Atlantic, where a migrant boat sank near Nouadhibou, claiming at least 50 lives with approximately 100 passengers still missing.The Pope expressed “deep sadness” over the predominantly West African victims, highlighting data from the International Organization for Migration indicating over 2,000 migrant deaths this year alone attempting to reach Europe via the Mediterranean and Atlantic routes. The Atlantic route, connecting Senegal, mauritania, and the Canary Islands, is particularly perilous, with one in five vessels disappearing without a trace. “Each life counts, we cannot remain indifferent,” Pope Leo XIV emphasized, advocating for dignified reception and humane solutions to the migration crisis.
Beyond the Mauritanian disaster, the Pope extended his concern to victims of conflict in Darfur, children caught in urban violence, and the ongoing war in Ukraine, where recent bombings have resulted in civilian casualties.he urged, “Let us implore God to stop the pandemic of weapons, large and small, which infects our world.”
The Holy See continues to advocate for safe migration corridors, strengthened international cooperation, and increased support from wealthier nations for vulnerable populations. Pope Leo XIV concluded with a call to move “from fear to reception, from closure to fraternity,” framing the migrant crisis as a shared human responsibility.
The Pope’s message serves as both a prayer and a warning: the tragedies at sea will continue to repeat themselves if the international community remains a spectator. Rescue operations are ongoing off Nouadhibou.
