VATICAN (CMC) – Pope Leo XIV has appealed to the abductors of the Irish missionary, Gena Heraty, to release her and the children whom they kidnapped on August 3, adding that the situation in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country is “increasingly desperate”.

Heraty, known for her decades-long care for children with disabilities, was abducted when gunmen stormed the Saint Helena orphanage, the children’s home in Kenscoff, just outside Port-au-Prince.

“The situation of the population in Haiti is increasingly desperate…the news reports murders, violence of all kinds, human trafficking, forced exiles and kidnappings,” the Pontiff said as the faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square for the Angelus prayer on Sunday.

He said “our little brothers and sisters” near Port-au-Prince, including an Irish missionary who has been in Haiti for 30 years and a three -year-old disabled child had been taken and launched “an urgent appeal to all those responsible for the immediate release of the hostages”.

The Pontiff requested “the concrete support of the international community to create the social and institutional conditions that will allow Haitians to live in peace”.

The Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince had earlier said “this abduction constitutes an attack on the noblest aspects of society : the free service of others, the innocence of the defenseless child, and faith embodied in works of mercy”.

The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) said that during the second quarter of 2025, between the months April 1, to and June 30, an estimated 2,129 people, including 1,520 had been killed and 609 injured.

The European Union is reported to be seeking the release of the missionary whose abduction happened not far from the Haiti office of Christian World Outreach (CWO).

“We have not directly been affected by any kidnappings or anything recently,” says CWO President Greg Yoder, noting “the abduction has caused the ministry to slow down and sometimes be postponed, especially in the Port-au-Prince area.

“Recently, with the gangs kind of taking over Mirebalais, that shut down our Feminine Training Center there because pretty much everybody left town,” Yoder, said.