From the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Supreme Pontiff told the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square that he was close to the Sudanese people, and called on them to lay down their weapons and that dialogue prevails, so that together they may return to the path of peace.

That African nation is facing a complex scenario, due to clashes between the Army and the troops of the so-called Rapid Deployment Forces, with a balance of at least 56 dead and almost 600 wounded.

According to recent military reports, fighting has continued this morning in the vicinity of the headquarters of the Armed Forces, in the center of Khartoum, the country’s capital. “Unfortunately, in stark contrast to the Easter message, wars continue and continue to sow death in a gruesome manner,” Francis regretted.

“Let us mourn for these atrocities and pray for their victims!” Said Francis, who also reiterated his call for an end to the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Last April 9, during the celebration of Easter Sunday, the Pope urged “to overcome conflicts and divisions, and to open our hearts to those who need it most.”

“Let us hasten to walk the paths of peace and fraternity,” he said, and demanded that the international community strive to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine, and all those that plunge the world into mourning, “beginning with Syria, which is still waiting for peace.”

He appealed to “always and only seek the common good of citizens, to guarantee security and the necessary conditions for dialogue and peaceful coexistence” and, to this end, the Pontiff asked that “we obtain today the strength to persevere in the good, towards the encounter of the good, which does not disappoint.”

mh/jha/ort