Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan, concluded a ten-day mission to war-torn Sudan, delivering a message of solidarity and hope from Pope Leo XIV to the country’s embattled Catholic community.
Newsroom (23/09/2025, Gaudiuim Press ) Archbishop Séamus Patrick Horgan, Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan, concluded a ten-day mission to war-torn Sudan, delivering a message of solidarity and hope from Pope Leo XIV to the country’s embattled Catholic community. The visit, which included meetings with local faithful and transitional government officials, underscored the Catholic Church’s commitment to supporting Sudan through its ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal civil war sparked by a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. The conflict has unleashed widespread violence, displacing nearly 12 million people—over four million of whom have fled as refugees to neighboring countries. Thousands of civilians have been killed, and entire villages and farmlands have been reduced to rubble. The United Nations has labeled the situation the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
In an interview with Vatican News, Archbishop Horgan reflected on the purpose of his visit: “My principal intention was to bring a word of closeness and encouragement from the Pope to this much-tried local Church in Sudan, especially in these last two years, when a terrible civil war has raged.”
A Message of Solidarity
Throughout his journey, Archbishop Horgan celebrated Mass with Catholic communities in Khartoum, Atbara, Omdurman, and Port Sudan, where he was met with enthusiasm and gratitude. “The faithful participated in large numbers and with joy,” he said. “The presence of the nuncio is symbolic for them. It meant that the wider Church was expressing its concern and assuring its prayers.”
At each gathering, prayers for peace were central, as the Catholic community grapples with immense hardship. “The Catholic community has been very, very hard pressed from every side,” the nuncio noted, emphasizing the Church’s role in offering spiritual and moral support. “We prayed for peace in the nation and for the Catholics who have been so sorely tested.”
Engaging with Authorities
In Port Sudan, Archbishop Horgan met with members of Sudan’s transitional government, conveying the Holy See’s principles on fostering a future constitutional order rooted in “freedom of religion and freedom of culture.” The discussions highlighted the Church’s advocacy for peace and inclusivity in a nation where conflict has indiscriminately impacted Christians and Muslims alike.
“The officials were very receptive and glad that the visit had been made,” Horgan said. “They appreciated the Pope’s concerns for Sudan and his concern for peace.” He stressed the shared suffering caused by the war, noting, “When there’s a war, everyone suffers together. To overcome this war, we must work together to rebuild Sudan.”
Gratitude for Resilience
Accompanied by Archbishop Michael Didi of Khartoum, Horgan also met with priests, Comboni Missionaries, and other missionaries serving in Port Sudan. He expressed deep gratitude for their steadfast commitment, saying, “I thank God for their fidelity in very, very trying circumstances.”
Reflecting on the mission’s success, the nuncio remarked, “The country is still quite unstable, and the situation is unforeseeable. Still, I thank God that it unfolded safely and that we were able to meet with the Christian communities and assure them of the closeness of the Church.”
A Global Call to Action
In a heartfelt appeal, Archbishop Horgan urged the global Catholic community to join in prayer and action to alleviate Sudan’s suffering. “I ask for their prayers and their actions for whatever can be done in bringing an end to this cruel civil war,” he said, addressing Vatican News’ audience.
As Sudan continues to endure unimaginable loss, the nuncio’s visit serves as a powerful reminder of the Church’s enduring presence and its call for collective efforts to restore peace and dignity to a nation in crisis.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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