Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on November 2, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Add as preferred source on GooglePope Leo urges a ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Sudan, highlighting violence in Darfur and calling for international support.
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Leo on Sunday appealed for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, saying he was following with "great sorrow" reports of terrible brutality in the city of Al-Fashir in Darfur.
"Indiscriminate violence against women and children, attacks on defenceless civilians and serious obstacles to humanitarian action are causing unacceptable suffering," the pope said during his weekly Angelus address to crowds in St. Peter's Square.
He called on the international community to act "decisively and generously" to support relief efforts.
The U.N. human rights office said on Friday that hundreds of civilians and unarmed fighters may have been killed late last month when the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces captured Al-Fashir, the Sudanese army's last major holdout in Darfur.
The city fell a week ago after an 18-month siege, prompting tens of thousands to flee.
Pope Leo also addressed the situation in Tanzania on Sunday, saying there had been clashes with numerous casualties after recent national elections. He urged all sides to avoid violence and "walk the path of dialogue".
(Reporting by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Jan Harvey)
Humanitarian aid refers to the assistance provided to people in need during crises, such as natural disasters or conflicts, aimed at saving lives, alleviating suffering, and maintaining human dignity.
An international response is the collective action taken by countries and organizations to address global issues, such as humanitarian crises, economic challenges, or environmental concerns, often involving cooperation and resource sharing.
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