Pope Leo XIV remembers victims of Ebola and mining disaster in Central Africa

During his Aug. 23 Angelus address at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV remembered the victims of an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and of a deadly mining landslide in the Central African Republic.

“In my prayers, I often remember the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially in light of the spread of the Ebola epidemic, which is sadly claiming many lives. I encourage on the part of the international community a response that also involves local communities in efforts of prevention, so that many human lives may be saved,” Leo said.

The recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo was first declared in May 2026, claiming the lives of close to 2,500 people, according to an Aug. 21 BBC report . The country is currently distributing a vaccine against the virus, and public health officials have declared it the deadliest outbreak in the country’s history.

On Aug. 18, a landslide at a gold mine near Zamboyé in western Central African Republic buried and killed more than 100 workers, according to an Aug. 19 BBC report . Rescue efforts are ongoing for potential survivors, and Pope Leo prayed for all those who lost their lives in the disaster.

“I am also…