Pope Francis has reiterated the importance of remembering the Holocaust, describing it as a horror that must never be “forgotten or denied.” Speaking during the Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican, the pontiff urged the global community to work collectively to “eliminate the scourge of anti-Semitism and all forms of religious discrimination and persecution.”
His comments came on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration camp that became a symbol of the Holocaust. Between 1940 and 1945, Auschwitz-Birkenau claimed the lives of one million European Jews, as well as over 100,000 non-Jewish victims.
An official ceremony marking the anniversary is set to take place on Monday at the camp’s site in Poland, attended by around 50 survivors and representatives from 54 countries.
Addressing Sudan’s Civil War
Pope Francis also turned his attention to the ongoing civil war in Sudan, describing it as the “most serious humanitarian crisis in the world.”
“I renew my appeal to the warring parties in Sudan to cease hostilities and agree to sit at a negotiating table,” the pope said.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, has created a devastating humanitarian disaster. Tens of thousands of people have been killed, over 12 million displaced, and widespread starvation has gripped parts of the country.
The pope’s dual appeal underscores his commitment to promoting peace and remembrance, as he urged the world to reflect on the lessons of history while addressing current global crises.
