Pope Leo XIV has strongly condemned a wave of kidnappings targeting priests, students and church members in both Nigeria and Cameroon. Speaking to thousands of faithful during his Angelus in St Peter’s Square, the Pope described the situation as a “great pain” for the Church and appealed for the urgent release of all hostages.
The Pope said he was deeply saddened by the news of the abductions and called on authorities to act quickly. He urged governments to make “appropriate and timely decisions” to secure the freedom of the kidnapped and prayed that churches and schools remain places of safety, not fear.
While Nigeria has seen one of its largest school kidnappings in years, with more than 300 students taken from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, the situation in Cameroon has also grown deeply troubling. The Northwest Region recorded several kidnappings of religious leaders in recent days, adding to the already tense atmosphere caused by the prolonged Anglophone crisis.
Church officials in Cameroon confirmed that at least six Catholic priests from the Archdiocese of Bamenda were kidnapped in separate incidents. A Baptist pastor travelling through Jakiri was also abducted around the same period. Communities in the Northwest say they are living in constant fear, as churches and clergy have increasingly become targets for armed groups who use abductions to exert pressure or demand ransom.
Local parish leaders describe the current wave of kidnappings as one of the most alarming in recent years. Many parishioners are afraid to attend mass, especially in rural areas where security presence is limited. Efforts to secure the release of the priests are ongoing through a mix of community negotiations and security interventions, but the uncertainty has left families and church workers distressed.
The Pope’s message has drawn renewed global attention to the worsening insecurity in Cameroon’s conflict-hit regions. Religious institutions that once served as safe spaces have become vulnerable, and clergy often seen as neutral voices of peace are now being targeted. The attacks underline a growing crisis as criminal groups and armed factions exploit weakened security structures.
Church leaders in Cameroon have welcomed the Pope’s intervention, saying his voice strengthens their appeal for protection and urgent action. As families wait anxiously for news, Pope Leo XIV’s call has brought international pressure on Cameroon and Nigeria to intensify rescue efforts. For many, the hope is that this global attention will help bring home every missing priest, pastor, student and church member.
