Pope Leo XIV has renewed his appeal for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan and the urgent establishment of humanitarian corridors to deliver aid to civilians suffering from the country’s devastating civil war. Speaking during his Angelus address at Saint Peter’s Square on Sunday, the pontiff expressed deep sorrow over the “tragic news” emerging from Sudan, particularly the city of El-Fasher in the northern Darfur region.
“With great sorrow, I follow the tragic news coming from Sudan,” the Pope said. “Indiscriminate violence against women and children, attacks on unarmed civilians, and serious obstacles to humanitarian action have caused unacceptable suffering to a population already exhausted by long months of conflict.”
He urged both the warring parties the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to agree to an immediate ceasefire and allow humanitarian access to affected areas. The pontiff emphasized that peace and compassion must prevail over hatred and violence.
The Pope’s renewed call comes amid reports of atrocities following the RSF’s seizure of El-Fasher in late October. The city’s fall marked the end of an 18-month siege that left thousands starving and displaced. Human rights groups have since reported widespread abuses, including summary executions, sexual violence, looting, and attacks on aid workers.
Sudan’s civil war, which began in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and sparked what the United Nations describes as the world’s largest displacement and hunger crisis. Despite several international mediation efforts, a peaceful resolution remains elusive.
In his September address, Pope Leo XIV had also urged the international community to intensify diplomatic efforts to “end this humanitarian catastrophe.” His latest message reinforces the Vatican’s consistent advocacy for peace, urging global leaders to act swiftly to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.
