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Pope Leo XIV on Sunday appealed for international action to help contain the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has claimed more than 2,500 lives and become the country’s largest on record.
“In my prayers, I often remember the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in light of the spread of the Ebola epidemic, which is sadly claiming many lives,” the pontiff told pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter’s Square for his weekly Angelus prayer.
“I encourage on the part of the international community a response that also involves local communities in efforts of prevention, so that many human lives may be saved.”
The outbreak is Congo’s 17th Ebola epidemic and the most severe in the country’s history, surpassing the previous record outbreak from 2018 to 2020.
The virus has spread rapidly across a vast area of the central African country, with health officials warning that the disease is spreading exponentially.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which currently has no approved treatment or vaccine.
More than 5,300 confirmed cases have been reported, with over 2,500 deaths. In May 2026, the WHO declared the outbreak an epidemic after cases were reported in both the DRC and Uganda.
Efforts to halt the spread have been hampered by armed conflict between government forces and armed groups controlling major cities where the outbreak is concentrated.
The DRC’s health minister has said the country has received over 16,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, which has been effective against other strains of Ebola.
