Pope Leo has condemned the escalating violence in Sudan, calling for immediate dialogue between warring factions and expanded humanitarian assistance to civilians caught in the conflict. His appeal came during a Sunday address at the Vatican, where he described the situation in Sudan as “a deep human tragedy that demands compassion, courage, and cooperation.”
The pontiff urged international organizations and neighboring African nations to intensify peace efforts and ensure safe access for aid convoys. “Too many innocent people are suffering in silence,” he said. “I call upon all sides to lay down their arms and seek the path of reconciliation. Lasting peace will never be achieved through bloodshed.”
The remarks follow reports by Reuters and Al Jazeera that fighting between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces has displaced over 10 million people since April 2023, triggering one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Aid agencies have warned that famine risks are rising as access to food and medical supplies remains severely restricted.
Pope Leo also called on the global community to support relief operations led by Caritas Internationalis and the United Nations, emphasizing that “the suffering of the Sudanese people is not a distant tragedy but a shared moral responsibility.”
