Pope Francis has called on military groups fighting in Sudan to lay down their weapons as they agreed to a seven-day cease-fire starting on Monday.
"In encouraging the partial agreements reached so far, I renew my heartfelt plea for weapons to be set aside," the Pope told pilgrims in St Peter's Square.
"I call on the international community to spare no effort so that dialogue prevails and that the suffering of the people can be alleviated," he added.
Heavy fighting between the country’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces broke out last month as both groups want to gain control of the country.
Thousands of people have been killed, and many others have been displaced as western Sudan has become the epicentre of the fighting.
In his Sunday address, the Pontiff also referenced the war in Ukraine, with the Vatican having just announced that Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, head of the Italian bishops' conference, will carry out a peace mission to help end the war in Ukraine.
The Pope continued: "Please let's not get accustomed to war. And we should continue to support the war-torn people of Ukraine," added the pope after delivering the Regina Caeli prayer.
