Pope Leo XIV Appeals to Warring Parties to Choose Dialogue as Violence Heightens in Ethiopia

Pope Leo XIV called on parties involved in the fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray, Afar, and Amhara regions to use dialogue to reach a lasting peace. During a general audience at St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, September 30, the Pope said armed conflict only worsens problems and causes death, destruction, and resentment. He stated that honest engagement is necessary to build a foundation for peace.

The appeal comes as Ethiopia faces renewed fighting four years after a 2022 ceasefire. Tensions between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front remain unresolved regarding regional autonomy, political power, disarmament, and disputed territories. Violence increased in August and September following air and drone attacks by federal forces in Tigray. On September 20, seven armed groups formed an alliance to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali’s government, and on September 23, Tigrayan forces began a ground offensive against federal positions in Mekele, Axum, and Shire.