During Sunday prayers, Pope Francis reminded the world that the atrocities of the Holocaust must never be “forgotten or denied,” as he also highlighted the ongoing suffering caused by the civil war in Sudan.
In his message, delivered on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, he urged global unity in combating anti-Semitism and all forms of religious discrimination and persecution. Auschwitz-Birkenau has become a powerful symbol of the genocide where six million European Jews were murdered by Nazi Germany. Among those victims, one million perished at the camp itself between 1940 and 1945, along with over 100,000 non-Jews.
On Monday, a significant ceremony will take place to mark the anniversary, with around fifty survivors and 54 international delegations coming together to honor the moment when Soviet troops liberated the camp 80 years ago.
Pope Francis also turned his attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan, describing it as “the most serious humanitarian crisis in the world.” He made a renewed call for the warring factions in Sudan to cease hostilities and come to the negotiating table, emphasizing the urgent need for peace.
The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces militia has led to devastating consequences: tens of thousands of lives lost, over 12 million people displaced, and widespread famine gripping many regions of the country.