Pope Leo Encourages Conversation in Tanzania and Demands a Ceasefire and Humanitarian Access in Sudan

Pope Leo has urged calm discussion and a truce in Sudan in the wake of Tanzanian post-election hostilities.

Pope Leo Encourages Conversation in Tanzania and Demands a Ceasefire and Humanitarian Access in Sudan.

Pope Leo expressed his profound sadness over reports of crimes in the city of Al-Fashir on Sunday and made a sincere plea for an urgent ceasefire in Sudan and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to assist civilians caught in the rising violence in Darfur.

“I am deeply saddened by the horrific reports of violence emanating from Al-Fashir,” the Pope stated in his monthly Angelus speech in St. Peter’s Square. “Intolerable suffering is being caused by attacks on defenseless civilians, discriminatory violence against women and children, and significant barriers to humanitarian action.”

In order to aid humanitarian efforts and safeguard conflict-affected individuals, the Pope urged the international community to act “decisively and generously.”

His plea comes after a United Nations human rights report was made public on Friday, revealing that hundreds of civilians and unarmed combatants were killed when Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took over Al-Fashir, the last significant stronghold held by the Sudanese army in Darfur, late last month.

After an 18-month siege, the city collapsed, according to the UN, leaving tens of thousands of people displaced and countless more in desperate need of assistance.

Pope Leo also addressed Tanzania in the same speech, citing recent post-election riots that have apparently resulted in several deaths. He asked everyone to be careful and put peace first.

He called for peace and national unity, saying, “I encourage all sides to avoid violence and walk the path of dialogue.”