Pope Leo XIV called for peace in Sudan on Sunday during an address to the crowd at the Vatican's St Peter's Square. Leo singled out El-Obeid, the besieged capital of North Kordofan state. “I continue to follow with concern the tragic situation in Sudan, especially in the city of El-Obeid," Leo said. Leo also expressed concern over the ongoing violence in Ukraine and Russia and appealed for humanitarian law to be respected and for both sides to cease attacks on civilians. “It is time to halt the spiral of violence and make way for diplomacy and dialogue to pave the way for peace,” Leo said.