Vatican City: During his Angelus message on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV extended heartfelt condolences and prayers to those impacted by the devastating stampede at Barthélémy Boganda High School in Bangui, Central African Republic. The tragic event claimed the lives of at least 29 students and injured over 260 others.
“I express my spiritual closeness to the community of Barthélémy Boganda High School, grieving the loss of many young lives in a tragic accident,” the Pope said, addressing pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “May the Lord console the families and the entire school community during this time of sorrow.”
According to reports, the disaster occurred when a malfunctioning electrical transformer exploded as power was being restored, triggering widespread panic among more than 5,000 students taking their final exams. The stampede that followed resulted in a chaotic rush, with most victims perishing on-site. Dozens more were rushed to hospitals across Bangui for treatment, the Central African Republic’s Ministry of Health confirmed.
As he reflected on the incident, Pope Leo XIV’s words carried deep empathy and compassion for the bereaved. He invoked divine comfort for the grieving families and the wider Bangui community, now shaken by the calamity.
Before concluding his message, the Pope widened his appeal to include all parts of the world afflicted by violence and war. With an urgent tone, he pleaded for global diplomacy and a renewed commitment to peace.
“Let us continue to pray, dear brothers and sisters, that the sound of weapons may cease in every corner of the world,” he said. “May the path of dialogue and diplomatic resolution prevail over the forces of hatred and destruction.”
Pope Leo XIV’s prayerful reflection underscored the dual tragedies facing the world sudden calamities like the Bangui stampede and the ongoing torment of global conflict. His message was both a tribute to young lives lost and a call for humanity to turn away from violence and toward peace.