Pope Leo XIV Urges Global Response to Ebola Crisis
Pope Leo XIV expressed concern for the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during his Angelus prayer on Sunday. He highlighted the epidemic's toll, noting that it has claimed many lives. “In…
Pope Leo XIV expressed concern for the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during his Angelus prayer on Sunday. He highlighted the epidemic's toll, noting that it has claimed many lives.
“In my prayers, I often remember the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly because of the spread of the Ebola epidemic, which is unfortunately claiming many lives,” the Pope stated. He appealed for a coordinated international response to the outbreak, calling on global and local communities to engage in prevention efforts that could save lives.
The current Ebola outbreak, involving the Bundibugyo strain, has resulted in over 2,500 deaths among 5,300 confirmed cases. As reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the outbreak was officially declared an epidemic in May 2026 after cases were identified in both the DRC and Uganda. The DRC’s health minister mentioned that the country has received more than 16,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, which has proven effective against other strains of the virus. However, the fight against the epidemic has been complicated by ongoing armed conflicts in the region, which have hampered efforts to control the spread of the disease.
In addition to the Ebola appeal, Pope Leo XIV also offered prayers for victims of a recent mining accident in the Central African Republic (CAR). “I am also close to the people of the Central African Republic, who are mourning the victims of the collapse that occurred at a mine in Zamboyé,” he said. He expressed hope that those who lost their lives would be received by the Lord and called for improved safety regulations at mining sites.
On August 18, more than 100 individuals lost their lives when a landslide occurred at an open-pit gold mine in Zamboyé. The Central African government reported that the mine had been closed prior to the tragic incident.
