Vatican City/Sanaa, Yemen, 26 October (H.S.): Yemen has welcomed Pope Leo XIV’s appeal over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Taiz and urged the international community to take concrete measures to pressure Houthi fighters to lift the siege, halt attacks on civilians and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian assistance.

In a post on X on Monday, Yemen’s Ministry of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs expressed appreciation for the Pope’s concern over the suffering of the Yemeni people and his call for an end to hostilities, urging that the people of Yemen and the wider region be allowed to live in peace.

“Yemen welcomes the Pope’s appeal on Taiz and calls for international action to end the siege and protect civilians,” the ministry said.

According to Vatican News, Pope Leo XIV appealed for an end to the ongoing conflict in Yemen during his address to the faithful following the Angelus prayer on Sunday. He also prayed for the victims of a deadly attack on Orthodox Christian worshippers in Jordan.

Expressing concern over Yemen’s severe humanitarian crisis, the Pope drew particular attention to Taiz, where residents are facing acute shortages of food, water and medical care.

“I make a heartfelt appeal for hostilities to cease and for the Yemeni people and all the peoples of the region to be guaranteed a life of peace,” he said.

Fighting and road closures in Taiz have disrupted the supply of essential commodities, leaving civilians increasingly vulnerable to shortages of food, water and fuel.

The United Nations has called for urgent humanitarian assistance, warning that dwindling supplies of medicines and oxygen in hospitals are making it increasingly difficult to maintain essential services. The shortages are also affecting community kitchens that provide meals to vulnerable families.

Pope Leo XIV also offered prayers for those killed and injured in Friday’s attack on worshippers at St George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Hamoud, in Jordan’s Karak Governorate. Expressing solidarity with the victims and their families, he said he stood with the community and the wider country, which is known for the peaceful coexistence and mutual respect of different religious communities.

On October 23, gunmen opened fire during a funeral at the church in southern Jordan. The attack killed nine people and injured around 40 others, according to reports from the authorities and international news agencies.

The Pope’s appeal has added to international calls for an end to the violence in Yemen and for urgent measures to address the humanitarian suffering of civilians, particularly those trapped by the siege and restrictions on essential supplies.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar