Pope Leo XIV Mourns Ethiopian Migrants Lost in Yemen Shipwreck

Pope Leo XIV has expressed his deep sorrow following the tragic shipwreck off the coast of Yemen that claimed the lives of dozens of migrants, most of them Ethiopian nationals attempting to reach Saudi Arabia and other oil-rich Gulf nations.

In a telegram sent on the Pope’s behalf by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Holy Father conveyed his condolences through Archbishop Zakhia El-Kassis, Apostolic Nuncio to Yemen and Apostolic Delegate to the Arabian Peninsula. The message, according to Vatican News, entrusts the souls of the deceased “to the loving mercy of Almighty God” and offers prayers for the survivors, emergency workers, and all affected by the tragedy.

“His Holiness Pope Leo XIV commends the many migrants who lost their lives to the loving mercy of Almighty God,” the message reads. He also prays for “divine strength, comfort, and hope” for those left behind.

The disaster occurred on August 3, when a boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Abyan Governorate in southern Yemen due to rough weather conditions. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that the boat was carrying around 157 individuals. Of these, at least 76 have been confirmed dead, 32 survived, and dozens remain missing.

The migrants were attempting to travel from Ethiopia via the perilous Eastern Route, which takes them across the Gulf of Aden toward Yemen, a passage infamously known as the “Route of Death.” Despite the known risks, the route remains heavily used by migrants from the Horn of Africa seeking work in the Gulf.

Vatican News noted that the Gulf states' dependence on foreign labor continues to drive irregular migration. However, the journey exposes migrants to unimaginable hardship, including human trafficking and abuse. According to IOM, at least 558 migrants died on this route in 2024 alone.

Yemen, already suffering from over a decade of armed conflict, remains one of the poorest and most unstable nations in the Arabian Peninsula. Despite this, it continues to be a transit point for thousands of East African migrants each year. Humanitarian organizations warn that the conditions in Yemen are unsafe for both citizens and migrants, who are often exploited or abandoned during the journey.

This latest shipwreck has once again highlighted the urgent need for international cooperation and migrant protection, especially along high-risk routes like the one traversing the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.