Pope Leo XIV Calls for Humanitarian Corridors and Ceasefire in Sudan

Pope Leo XIV called for the opening of humanitarian corridors for civilians in Sudan on Sunday, August 9. Speaking after the Angelus prayer, the Pope expressed concern over the tragic situation in the country, specifically highlighting the city of El-Obeid. He urged authorities to guarantee safe passage for civilians and called upon the international community to support efforts to establish an immediate ceasefire.

The conflict, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries, has created a massive humanitarian crisis. Reports indicate that millions of people have been displaced and tens of thousands have been killed. One source estimates over 150,000 deaths and 13 million displaced persons, including 4.5 million who fled to Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt. The United Nations has described the situation as the world's most severe hunger crisis.

In El-Obeid, the largest city in the South Kordofan region, the UN has issued a red alert due to a pending catastrophe. The city is overcrowded with displaced persons and faces shortages of food and fuel. The use of attack drones has become a prominent feature of the war. The UN reports that over 1,000 civilians were killed by such strikes in the first five months of the year. Additionally, the human rights organization Emergency Lawyers reported that a Sudanese army drone strike on a village in the Darfur region recently killed 35 people who had gathered for a traditional court hearing.