Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has appealed to all sides in Ethiopia’s Tigray region to end the renewed hostilities and choose dialogue, warning that armed conflict only deepens suffering and leaves behind death, destruction and resentment.
Speaking at the conclusion of the General Audience, the Pope said he was following the situation in Tigray and neighbouring Afar and Amhara with deep concern, where fighting has broken out again. He called on the parties involved to make a sincere commitment to dialogue as the basis for lasting peace.
“I extend my heartfelt plea to all parties to choose the path of dialogue,” Pope Leo said. He also expressed hope that the international community would provide timely support so that humanitarian aid could reach people in need.
The renewed fighting has increased tensions across the region. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front, the main political force in Tigray, and the Tigray Defence Forces have intensified clashes with Ethiopian military forces. The TPLF and Tigrayan forces previously fought the federal government during the Tigray War from 2020 to 2022.
Clashes have been reported along the Tekeze River west of Tigray, in the Wolkayt area near the Afar border and in several parts of Amhara.
The number of people killed in the latest fighting has not been independently verified. The Ethiopian army has reported that 700 Tigrayan fighters were killed over two days.
The renewed violence has also placed additional pressure on hospitals and humanitarian services. Médecins Sans Frontières reported that more than 400 wounded people reached hospitals in Korem and Alamata between September 22 and 25, while another 300 were admitted to hospitals in Suhul and Shire in northwestern Tigray.
Humanitarian assistance has become increasingly difficult in the areas most affected by the fighting. Several roads have been cut off, while internet and telephone services have been completely disrupted in northern areas, preventing aid workers from coordinating their efforts effectively.
The Ethiopian government has accused neighbouring Eritrea of supporting the TPLF and other opposition forces. Eritrea has strongly denied involvement in the renewed violence.
The European Union has also described the situation as rapidly deteriorating on both the political and military fronts and announced immediate diplomatic and humanitarian measures aimed at preventing the conflict from escalating further.
During his meeting with Polish pilgrims, Pope Leo also recalled the 30th anniversary of the beatification of the 13 Greek Catholic martyrs of Pratulin. They were killed for defending their belonging to the Catholic Church. The Pope entrusted their intercession to the cause of the unity of Christ’s disciples.