VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday prayed for victims of growing violence in the Sahel, thanked the people of the Canary Islands for welcoming a cruise ship carrying people sick with hantavirus, and offered a special blessing for mothers during his Regina Caeli address in St. Peter’s Square.
Speaking after the Marian prayer May 10, the pope said he had learned “with concern” of increasing violence in the Sahel region, especially in Chad and Mali, which have been struck by recent terrorist attacks.
He assured his prayers for the victims and his closeness to those who are suffering, expressing hope that “every form of violence may cease” and encouraging efforts toward peace and development in the region.
The pope also marked the annual Coptic-Catholic Friendship Day, sending “fraternal greetings” to Pope Tawadros II and assuring his prayers for the Coptic Church. He said he hoped the path of friendship between Catholics and Copts would lead to “perfect unity in Christ, who called us friends.”