Pope Leo XIV expressed his deep concern for the humanitarian crisis in Sudan on Wednesday, denouncing violence, famine and diseases that hit the population, especially in the Darfur region.
“In the Estar, numerous civilians are trapped in the city, victims of famine and violence. In Tarsín, a devastating landslide has caused numerous deaths, leaving behind pain and despair. As if that were not enough, the propagation of cholera threatens hundreds of thousands of people already exhausted,” said the pontiff after the general audience held in the Plaza de San Pedro.
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The Pope said he was “closer than ever of the Sudanese population, particularly families, children and displaced.”
He then raised a prayer for all victims of violence and natural disasters. At the same time, he directed urgently to those responsible for the conflict and the international community to guarantee help access.
“I pray for all the victims and make an urgent call to those responsible and the international community to guarantee humanitarian corridors and start a coordinated response to stop this humanitarian catastrophe. It is time to initiate a serious, sincere and inclusive dialogue between the parties to end the conflict and return to the people of Sudan hope, dignity and peace,” said Leo XIV.
The dramatic situation in Sudan, marked by months of armed clashes, mass displacements and the threat of cholera, has generated multiple warnings of humanitarian organizations.
In addition, last Sunday the island of Tarsín, located west of Sudan, was completely razed by a landslide caused by heavy rains. At least a thousand people died buried and there are still missing people. In a condolences telegram directed on Tuesday to Mons. Yunan Tombe Trille Kuku Andali, Bishop of El-Obeid, and signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Leo XIV expressed his deep sadness on Tuesday to know what happened in this village of the Central Region of Darfur.
At the end of his speech, Leo XIV also gave greeting to various groups of pilgrims present at the audience, highlighting the dioceses of Mantua and Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela, as well as several Italian parish groups. Remembering the liturgical memory of San Gregorio Magno, the Pope encouraged the faithful to recognize in Christ “the only true force of existence” and gave them their apostolic blessing.
Victoria Cardiel
Victoria Cardiel is a journalist specialized in social and religious information issues. Since 2013, he has covered all the news of the Vatican for various media, such as the Spanish news agency Europa Press, or the weekly of the Archdiocese of Madrid, Alfa and Omega.