Pope Leo on Sunday urged an immediate ceasefire and the creation of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, expressing “great sorrow” over reports of atrocities in the city of Al-Fashir, Darfur.
Speaking to pilgrims during his weekly Angelus address in St Peter’s Square, the pope condemned “indiscriminate violence against women and children, attacks on defenceless civilians, and serious obstacles to humanitarian action,” describing the suffering as “unacceptable.”
He appealed to the international community to act “decisively and generously” to aid relief efforts.
The UN human rights office said on Friday that hundreds of civilians and unarmed fighters may have been killed when the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces seized Al-Fashir towards the end of October, ending an 18-month siege of the Sudanese army’s final stronghold in Darfur.
Tens of thousands have fled the city since its fall.
Pope Leo also voiced concern over post-election violence in Tanzania, calling on all sides to reject bloodshed and “walk the path of dialogue.”
[Image: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/Pope_Leo_XIV_6.png]