Pope Francis stands at the window and prays the Angelus © Evandro Inetti/ZUMA Wire
At the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis called for a peaceful resolution to the clashes in Ethiopia. He asked for help and support for those affected by the hurricane in Central America.
About the situation in Ethiopia, Pope Francis expressed concern. "I urge everyone to resist the temptation of armed confrontation," said at the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square. It invited "prayer and fraternal respect, dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes".
In recent days, there had been reports of an escalation of the conflict between the Ethiopian central government in Addis Ababa and the Tigray region. Fighting had broken out in northern Ethiopia between federal troops and units in Tigray. Internationally, there have been repeated warnings of a new civil war.
UN chief Antonio Guterres called for immediate de-escalation in northern Ethiopia. "Stability in Ethiopia is important for the entire region in the Horn of Africa," Guterres wrote on Twitter. The African Union also spoke of a "very delicate" situation. Similar warnings came from U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his German counterpart Heiko Maas.
Pope calls for solution to suffering of Libyan people
Of the dialogue forum for Libya that begins Sunday, Pope Francis has demanded concrete results. "I sincerely hope that at this delicate time a solution will be found to the long suffering of the Libyan people and that the recent agreement on a permanent ceasefire will be respected and implemented," the head of the Church said.
All parties to the conflict are involved in the Political Dialogue Forum mediated by the UN Assistance Mission for Libya, which is to begin this Sunday in Tunisia. Among other things, the forum is to prepare for a national election. After years of fighting, the parties to the conflict in the Libyan civil war agreed last week on an immediate ceasefire under UN mediation. Germany has a mediating role in the conflict.
Hurricane worsens situation for people in Central America
For those affected by the hurricane in Central America and the Caribbean, Pope Francis has asked for support and assistance. The latter had "claimed many victims and caused considerable damage, exacerbated by the already difficult situation of the pandemic," Francis said. May God take the dead to Himself, comfort the bereaved and all others affected, and support those "who work hard to help them".
Hurricane "Eta" caused severe landslides and flooding in Central America in recent days. According to media reports, at least 70 people have died so far. "Eta," which met the countries of Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama and Costa Rica, is 28. Tropical storm in the Atlantic in the current season. There have only been this many so far in 2005. On Sunday, "Eta" hit the southwest coast of Cuba.