Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Tuesday 05 November |
Saint of the Day: Bl. María del Carmen Viel Ferrando
Aleteia logo
Church
separateurCreated with Sketch.

Pope laments prison riot in Honduras

Pope-Francis-General-Audience-St-Peters-Square-Antoine-Mekary-ALETEA

Antoine Mekary | ALETEIA

Kathleen N. Hattrup - published on 06/25/23

Fighting broke out between rival gangs in a women's penitentiary, leaving nearly 50 women dead.

Pope Francis mourned the victims of a prison riot in Honduras that brought the death of nearly 50 women.

I was very saddened by what happened a few days ago in the women’s Penitentiary Centre of Támara in Honduras. Terrible violence between rival gangs caused death and suffering. I pray for the deceased; I pray for their families. May the Virgin of Suyapa, Mother of Honduras, help hearts to open themselves to reconciliation and to create space for fraternal co-existence, even within prisons.

This was the Pope’s prayer this June 25 after he prayed the midday Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

Along with El Salvador and Guatemala, Honduras is a major route for cocaine coming from growers in South America to buyers in the United States.

Gang violence is soaring in the country.

Rival gangs in the prison began a fight, resulting in fires being set. Most of the victims died in the flames, but others were beaten to death, shot or stabbed.

Tags:
HondurasPope Francis
Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.

2025-Aleteia-Pilgrimage-300×250-1.png
Daily prayer
And today we celebrate...




Top 10
See More
Newsletter
Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here.