Pope Leo Calls For The Release Of Hostages Taken From Haiti Orphanage: 'Immediately'

Pope Leo XIV is calling for the release of hostages taken from an orphanage in Haiti earlier this month, including a three-year-old child and an Irish missionary.

"I make a heartfelt appeal to all responsible parties to release the hostages immediately," the pope said during a prayer service in which he also condemned "violence of all kinds, human trafficking, forced displacement and kidnappings" in the country.

The pontiff went on to call on the international community to provide enough support to "allow the Haitian people to live in peace."

The kidnapping took place in early August at the Sainte-Helene orphanage in Kenscoff, south of the capital. Mayor Massillon Jean added that employees were also taken in what he called a "planned act."

"They broke through a wall to enter the property before heading to the building where the director was staying, leaving with nine hostages," he added. One of them is Gena Heraty, an Irish national who has been working in Haiti since 1993.

In the meantime, gangs continue gaining territory, recently killing three police officers in the country's central region. The Associated Press reported in late July that the policemen were members of a specialized unit known as UDMO, usually deployed during protests. Videos circulating on social media show gunmen dragging bodies near a burning armored vehicle. A fourth police officer is missing as well.