By Charles Igwe
Pope Leo XIV has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of more than 60 migrants in a devastating shipwreck off the coast of Yemen. In a heartfelt message delivered at the end of the Sunday Angelus on June 16, the pope lamented the loss of life and the continuing suffering faced by countless migrants worldwide who risk everything in search of safety and dignity.
Reports indicate that the vessel, which was carrying dozens of Ethiopian migrants from Somalia across the Gulf of Aden, capsized near Yemen’s shores. The disaster has intensified concerns over the increasingly perilous routes taken by migrants fleeing war, poverty, and instability in the Horn of Africa and beyond. The International Organization for Migration confirmed that dozens of lives were lost, with survivors recounting harrowing scenes of desperation as the ship went down.
Pope Leo XIV, visibly moved, asked the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square to join him in prayer for the deceased, their families, and all those who continue to embark on dangerous journeys in search of a better life. He denounced the global indifference that allows such tragedies to recur and reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to defending the dignity of every human being, especially the most vulnerable.
The pope’s appeal comes amid mounting humanitarian challenges worldwide, including conflicts, climate-induced displacement, and the exploitation of migrants by trafficking networks. As the Mediterranean and surrounding regions become cemeteries for the desperate, the Holy Father continues to call on political leaders, international institutions, and people of goodwill to act with urgency and compassion.
“May the Lord welcome the dead into His peace,” Pope Leo XIV prayed, “and comfort the families and those who still suffer.” His words, though brief, carried the weight of a Church that sees in every migrant not a statistic, but a human soul deserving of care, justice, and hope.
