Pope appeals for Ethiopia harmony, prays for Sierra Leone

Pope Francis on Sunday decried the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia and pressed for dialogue to prevail over the war there.

Addressing pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square, the pontiff said he was following the news with “worry” from the Horn of Africa, particularly from Ethiopia.

The war in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region has killed thousands of people and displaced millions, and left many struggling with severe hunger.

The Rome-based U.N. World Food Programme said last week that it had appealed to all parties in the conflict to allow trucks carrying food, medicine and other humanitarian assistance to those in need, but that so far its urgent requests have gone unheeded.

The Pope also prayed for the victims of Friday's devastating explosion in Sierra Leone in which 98 people were killed.

It happened when an oil tanker truck blew up and burst into flames, after large crowds had gathered to collect leaking fuel.

IMAGE: AP