Pope mourns death of Mozambican Bishop Citora Afonso

Pope Leo XIV “learned with sorrow of the serious act of violence” that resulted in the death of Bishop Osório Citora Afonso, Bishop of Quelimane and Apostolic Administrator of Beira, in Mozambique. The news was communicated through the Holy See Press Office’s Telegram channel.

The Pope, the statement continues, “joins in prayer with the people of the dioceses and of Mozambique in this time of bewilderment, asking the Lord to grant them consolation, to keep every man and woman in His love, and to stay the hand of the violent.”

Bishop Citora Afonso was found dead on the morning of 6 June at his episcopal residence in Quelimane, having been fatally shot in the chest.

According to the Fides News Agency, the National Criminal Investigation Service has opened an investigation. At present, no confirmed details have been released regarding the circumstances of the killing or the identity of those responsible.