VATICAN CITY, ROME — Pope Leo XIV, the global leader of the Catholic Church, used his Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square to offer prayers and a powerful appeal for peace in Tanzania following days of election-related unrest and violence across the East African nation.
Addressing thousands of pilgrims, the Pontiff urged those involved in the escalating conflict to choose negotiation over confrontation.
“Let us also pray for Tanzania, where recent clashes have broken out, leaving many victims. I urge everyone to avoid all forms of violence and follow the path of dialogue,” Pope Leo said during his homily.
The appeal comes in the wake of chaos that marred the general elections held on October 29, 2025.
Unofficial reports indicate several fatalities and numerous injuries following the widespread unrest, though the Tanzanian government has yet to provide official statistics on casualties.
Prayer for peace in Sudan
During the same address, Vatican News reported that Pope Leo XIV also turned his attention to the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan.
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The Pontiff strongly condemned the gruesome violence being perpetrated against civilians and called for the immediate removal of all barriers hindering the delivery of humanitarian aid to the suffering population.
Sudan is currently grappling with the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crisis, with approximately 14 million people displaced out of a total population of 51 million.
The country is facing widespread famine and increasing outbreaks of cholera and other deadly diseases.
The conflict, which began in April 2023, pits the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group that emerged from the earlier conflict in Darfur.
