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Pope Leo XIV Prays for Somalia Amid Deepening Crisis
Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV prayed for Somalia on Sunday, September 20, 2026, during the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, urging international solidarity amid the country's deepening humanitarian crisis.
Pope Leo XIV prayed for Somalia on Sunday, September 20, 2026, during the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, urging international solidarity amid the country's deepening humanitarian crisis.
According to UNICEF, about 4.8 million people in Somalia need urgent humanitarian assistance, including some 3 million children.
The Pope emphasized the severity of the situation, noting that 6 million people in Somalia are facing acute food insecurity, as reported by the U.N.’s World Food Program acting executive director Carl Skau.
Pope Leo XIV highlighted the critical need for aid, stating, “With great concern, I am following the humanitarian crisis unfolding in certain areas of Somalia.”
The Pope’s appeal comes as Somalia faces multiple crises, including internal violence, extreme weather, and a funding shortfall that has forced aid agencies to scale back lifesaving operations.
The U.S., once a primary supporter of assistance to Somalia, has shifted its policy, though it recently agreed to give the United Nations another year to wind down its support for African peacekeepers in Somalia.
Pope Leo XIV reflected on the day’s Gospel account of the laborers called to work in the vineyard, emphasizing the importance of historical memory and the need for greater international assistance.
The Pope said the parable challenges those who see themselves as having earned their place or accomplishments, urging a more generous justice and greater love.
Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming Apostolic Journey to France, from September 25 to 28, will include meetings with civil authorities, young people, and the Church, as well as a visit to UNESCO in Paris.
What this adds
The Pope’s call for greater international assistance highlights the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Somalia, which has seen an increase of 1.7 million people facing crisis levels of hunger since January.
Background
Pope Leo has offered prayers for Somalia, a nation currently facing a multifaceted crisis including internal violence, political tensions, and severe weather conditions.
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What's confirmed
- Pope Leo XIV prays the Angelus on Sunday, 20 Sept. 2026, in the Vatican. (Image ©Vatican Media) Pope Leo XIV called for international solidarity with Somalia, where ongoing violence and extreme weather are making an already severe humanitarian crisis even worse.
- Pope Leo XIV on Sunday appealed for greater international assistance to Somalia, where violence and extreme weather are worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis, particularly for women and children.
- According to UNICEF, about 4.8 million people in Somalia need urgent humanitarian assistance, including some 3 million children.
- Before the Angelus, Pope Leo reflected on the day’s Gospel account of the laborers called to work in the vineyard, some for the entire day, others for only a few hours and still others near the end of the day.
- “Jesus’ parables describe the newness of what God has in store for us; yet they also reveal the resistance we generally offer to a more generous justice and greater love,” the Pope said.
- The Pope said the parable also challenges those who see themselves as having earned their place or accomplishments.
- The Pope also used his remarks after the Angelus to emphasize the importance of historical memory.
- The Pope recalled Isaiah’s invitation to turn away from sin and return to the Lord, saying “the prophet’s call, which is more relevant than ever, is that we abandon our warped ways and return to the Lord, who is mercy and forgiveness.” Turning to the Gospel parable, Leo said its central moment comes when the vineyard owner pays the workers.
What's still developing
- At the same time, in addition to its internal violence and conflict, Somalia is suffering the effects of the wars in the Middle East.
- Somalia has long been suffering the risk of starvation.
- WFP acting executive director Carl Skau told the AP his agency had only a tenth of the resources it was able to bring to bear in 2022, when the WFP played a key role in averting famine in Somalia.
- Drawing on the prophet Isaiah, Leo said that God’s ways exceed human expectations.
- During a press conference held at the Holy See’s Press Office on Friday, September 18, the Director of the Press Office, Matteo Bruni, illustrated the Pope’s Journey, which will take him to Paris, Lourdes and the northeastern city of Metz.
- France will be the ninth country Pope Leo visits (tenth if counting the Pastoral visit to San Marino in August 2026), and it will include meetings with the authorities and state representatives of the country, encounters with young people and the local clergy, visits to charity initiatives, a visit to UNESCO headquarters and more.
- An estimated 6.5 million people are now facing crisis levels of hunger or worse, an increase of 1.7 million since January, as reported in FTL Somalia’s coverage of the drought displacement crisis.
Sources
- Crux | Taking the Catholic Pulselink
- Ewtnnewslink
- FTL Somalialink
- National Catholic Registerlink
- Heraldmalaysialink
- WarpBeat — background on Pope Leo Prays for Somalia Amid Violence and Weather Crisis link
- WarpBeat — background on Meta Set to Launch Camera-Free Smart Glasses Amid PR Crisis link
- africanews — video link