Pope Francis prayed for Africans who are victims of violence and conflict especially in Sudan and S. Sudan

Pope Francis born Jorge Mario Bergoglio; 17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025

"Pope Francis delivered his final Urbi et Orbi message on Easter Sunday 

[20 April 2025], urging world leaders to strive for peace. An aide read the address aloud from the balcony Saint Peter's Square to the crowd of 35,000 faithful as the pontiff sat and watched." Excerpts:

"May the risen Christ, our hope, grant peace and consolation to the African peoples who are victims of violence and conflict, especially in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Sudan and South Sudan. May he sustain those suffering from the tensions in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region, as well as those Christians who in many places are not able freely to profess their faith.

There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others.

Nor is peace possible without true disarmament! The requirement that every people provide for its own defence must not turn into a race to rearmament. The light of Easter impels us to break down the barriers that create division and are fraught with grave political and economic consequences. It impels us to care for one another, to increase our mutual solidarity, and to work for the integral development of each human person.

In the face of the cruelty of conflicts that involve defenceless civilians and attack schools, hospitals and humanitarian workers, we cannot allow ourselves to forget that it is not targets that are struck, but persons, each possessed of a soul and human dignity." 

Read full copy: 

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/urbi/documents/20250420-urbi-et-orbi-pasqua.html

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https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2020/02/ssudan-gets-unity-govt-to-end-war-after.html

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Sudan Watch - 27 Apr  2023

Pope Francis appeals for end to violence in Sudan

“I invite everyone to pray for our Sudanese brothers and sisters,” he said after reciting the midday Regina Coeli prayer with people gathered in St Peter’s Square on April 23.

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2023/04/pope-francis-appeals-for-end-to.html

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Sudan Watch - 11 Oct 2023

Pope Francis prayed for Sudan in St. Peter's Square: Love, forgiveness liberate, break cycles of violence

Love, forgiveness liberate, break cycles of violence, pope says

Pope Francis prayed for Sudan in St. Peter's Square: Love, forgiveness liberate, break cycles of violence

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Sudan Watch - 13 Nov 2023

Pope focuses on Darfur-born St. Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of Sudan and human trafficking survivors

Pope Francis highlights St. Josephine Bakhita’s example of forgiveness

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2023/10/pope-focuses-on-darfur-born-st.html

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Sudan Watch - 13 Nov 2023

Pope appeals for humanitarian aid for people in Sudan

“I am close to the sufferings of those dear populations of Sudan, and I address a heartfelt appeal to local leaders to facilitate access to humanitarian aid and, with the contribution of the international community, to work in search of peaceful solutions. Let us not forget these brothers and sisters of ours who are in distress!” -Pope Francis. 

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2023/11/pope-appeals-for-humanitarian-aid-for.html

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Pope appeals for humanitarian aid for people in Sudan

“I am close to the sufferings of those dear populations of Sudan, and I address a heartfelt appeal to local leaders to facilitate access to humanitarian aid and, with the contribution of the international community, to work in search of peaceful solutions. Let us not forget these brothers and sisters of ours who are in distress!” -Pope Francis. Read more.

From Vatican News - https://www.vaticannews.va/en.html

By Vatican News

Dated Sunday, 12 November 2023 - here is a copy in full:

Pope appeals for humanitarian aid for people in war-torn Sudan

Pope Francis makes a heartfelt appeal to leaders in Sudan to facilitate access to humanitarian aid for the suffering people, and to work toward a peaceful resolution to the civil war with the help of the international community.

Fleeing Sudanese seek refuge in Chad  (ZOHRA BENSEMRA)

Pope Francis has called attention to the serious humanitarian crisis in Sudan caused by the ongoing civil war, that shows no signs of abating. 

Speaking at the conclusion of Sunday's Angelus, the Pope decried the many victims, including millions of internally displaced persons and refugees in neighbouring countries.

“I am close to the sufferings of those dear populations of Sudan, and I address a heartfelt appeal to local leaders to facilitate access to humanitarian aid and, with the contribution of the international community, to work in search of peaceful solutions. Let us not forget these brothers and sisters of ours who are in distress!”

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, reports that the civil war in Sudan has driven close to six million people from their homes since the fighting started in April 2023. UNHCR's Dominique Hyde, Director of External Relations, recently visited the country and warned of a surge in human suffering, stating, “away from the eyes of the world and the news headlines, the conflict in Sudan continues to rage. Across the country, an unimaginable humanitarian crisis is unfolding, as more and more people are displaced by the relentless fighting.”

View original: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-11/pope-appeals-for-humanitarian-aid-for-people-in-war-torn-sudan.html

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