Pope Francis has called for the release of hostages, including six nuns, who were kidnapped on a bus in Haiti on Friday, while praying for social harmony in the country
At least six nuns were on board when armed gunmen took over a bus in Port-au Prince, Haiti, and fled to an unidentified location, holding the other passengers hostage.
“I have learned with sorrow of the kidnapping, in Haiti, of a group of people, including six religious sisters. In my heartfelt plea for their release, I pray for social concord in the country, and I invite everyone to bring an end to the violence, which is causing a great deal of suffering to that dear population”, Pope Francis said after his weekly Angelus prayer.
Violence has been escalating for months in Haiti as gangs jockey for power and seek to put pressure on interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry, ahead of the February 7 expiry of a political accord that consolidated his power.
The violence comes ahead of a court decision expected on Jan. 26 on a Kenyan-led multinational force to address gang violence in the country, one of the poorest in the Western Hemisphere.
Writing by Jennifer Ogor; Editing by Tijjani Ibrahim
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