Pope Leo prays for seafarers caught up in war

Source: Stella Maris

Pope Leo XIV has prayed for seafarers who have died as a result of the Middle East conflict as well as for those who have sustained injuries and their families.

In his Angelus address from St Peter's Square in the Vatican on Palm Sunday (29 March 2026), which was also posted on his official X account, the Pontiff said: "I also wish to entrust to the Lord the maritime workers who have fallen victim to the conflict. I pray for the deceased, the wounded and their families. Land, sky and sea were all created for life and peace!"

The Strait of Hormuz which links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman is a key shipping and trading route with hundreds of seafarers transiting the waterways daily before the conflict broke out. Since the conflict began four weeks ago, at least four seafarers have reportedly lost their lives and three severely injured. An estimated 20,000 seafarers are stranded in the Persian Gulf, on board ships under heightened risk and considerable mental strain.

Recently, The Apostleship of the Sea in Rome, a Vatican office under the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, expressed deep concern over the current military operations and heightened tensions in the Straits of Hormuz and their direct impact on seafarers.

Heightened tensions in strategically important waters place those working at sea at real risk and add further strain to already demanding working conditions. Seafarers' lives should never be endangered simply for doing their jobs.

LINKS

Angelus prayer www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/angelus/2026/documents/20260329-angelus.html
Pope's post on X: https://x.com/Pontifex/status/2038232454193148376
Stella Maris: https://stellamaris.org.uk/