Pope Francis has appealed for peace in Sri Lanka and expressed solidarity with people in the country who "continue to suffer from political and economic instability." 

Speaking from his balcony in St Peter's Square in Rome for his Angelus message, the Pope said : 

"Together with the bishops of the country, I renew my appeal for peace, I implore those in authority not to ignore the cry of the poor and the needs of the people." 

This weekend thousands of protestors took to the streets of Sri Lanka and stormed the residence of the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo. The home of the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was also set on fire. He has now resigned to make way for an all-party government.

The unrest comes after months of protests over the government's handling of the worst economic crisis in the country's history, with shortages of food, fuel and other essentials.