Full Breakdown
Pope Leo XIV Urges Immediate Ceasefire and Humanitarian Corridors in Sudan and the Ukraine-Russia War
8/9/2026, 10:11:00 PM
Pope’s Angelus Appeal (August 9, 2026)
On Sunday, August 9, 2026, Pope Leo XIV addressed the faithful from St. Peter’s Square during the Angelus prayer. The pontiff reiterated his appeal for all parties to respect international humanitarian law and to halt attacks on civilian targets. He also called on world leaders to create humanitarian corridors for civilians trapped in Sudan’s conflict-ridden city of El-Obeid.
Conflict Background
The war in Ukraine entered its fourth year in 2026, with both sides conducting drone strikes that have intensified civilian casualties. In Sudan, fighting between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, which began in April 2023, has produced a protracted siege of El-Obeid and a broader humanitarian crisis across the country.
Humanitarian Impact
- The United Nations reports more than 16,000 civilian deaths in the Ukraine-Russia war, the majority of them Ukrainian, and a rise of over one-third in civilian injuries and deaths in the first half of 2026.
- In Sudan, the conflict has claimed an estimated 400,000 lives, displaced 13 million people internally and forced another 4 million into exile.
- The World Food Programme described El-Obeid in July 2026 as an “epicenter” of displacement and hunger, with nearly 400,000 residents facing acute food insecurity.
- The UN notes that civilians in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories and inside Russia are also being killed.
Vatican’s Official Position
Pope Leo XIV urged authorities on all sides to prioritize diplomacy, humanitarian assistance, and the protection of civilians. He asked that humanitarian corridors be established to deliver aid to El-Obeid and called for an “immediate ceasefire” to stop the spiral of violence. The Holy Father emphasized that war only generates more war and causes immense suffering, urging the international community to support dialogue and respect for humanitarian law.
Upcoming Diplomatic Steps
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, is slated to travel to Moscow before the end of August 2026 to discuss the Pope’s appeal and explore avenues for de-escalation.
