Pope Leo XIV Urges More International Aid for Somalia Crisis

Pope Leo XIV appealed Sunday for greater international assistance to Somalia, where violence and extreme weather are worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis, especially for women and children. Drought and below-average rainfall are displacing rural families, deepening hunger and malnutrition, while fighting involving government forces, militias and al-Shabab has driven civilians from their homes. United Nations agencies estimate that millions of Somalis face urgent humanitarian needs and acute food insecurity, including large numbers of malnourished children. Aid reductions have further strained the response, with the World Food Programme assisting far fewer people and health services shrinking in some regions. The pope urged the international community to provide the assistance needed to prevent further suffering.