Pope Francis appeals for an end to Sudan's civil war

Pope Francis makes his speech during an audience with the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See at the Vatican

FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis makes his speech during an audience with the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See for the traditional exchange of New Year greetings at the Vatican January 9, 2017. REUTERS/Alberto Pizzoli/Pool/FILE PHOTO

Source: X80003

Pope Francis appealed on Sunday to Sudan's warring factions to put an end to a 10-month conflict that has seen millions displaced and prompted warnings of famine.

"I ask again the warring parties to stop this war, which causes so much damage to the people and the future of the country", Francis said during his Angelus message.

"Let's pray so that avenues of peace will soon be found for the future of beloved Sudan", he added.

Diplomatic efforts have so far failed to end the civil war in Sudan that pits the country's armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

In his traditional Sunday address, the pope also mentioned conflicts in Mozambique, Ukraine, Israel and the Palestinian territories.

"Wherever there is fighting populations are exhausted, they are tired of war, which is always useless, inconclusive and will only bring death and destruction and will never lead to a solution to the problem," Francis said.

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters