VATICAN CITY — During his Sunday Angelus prayer, Pope Francis addressed the troubling issue of antisemitism ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This day is particularly significant as it commemorates 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, a site symbolizing the atrocities committed during the Holocaust.

“The devastating extermination of millions of Jews and others who differed in belief must remain in our collective memory, never to be overlooked or denied,” the Pope declared. He highlighted the story of Edith Bruck, a Hungarian-born poet now residing in Rome, to illustrate the lasting impact of these horrors.

Pope Francis also acknowledged that many Christians were among those who suffered and died in the Nazi camps, including a considerable number of martyrs. He urged a collective commitment to eliminate antisemitism and all forms of discrimination and religious persecution. “I reiterate my call for everyone to work collaboratively in this vital effort,” he stated.

Moreover, he emphasized the need for a united effort to establish a more fraternal and just world, encouraging the education of young people to foster openness, forgiveness, and peace.

In addition to his remarks on antisemitism, the pontiff called for an end to the ongoing civil conflict in Sudan, which has been raging since April 2023. He described the situation as causing one of the “most severe humanitarian crises in the world,” with implications even extending to neighboring South Sudan.

Pope Francis also voiced his concerns regarding the violence in Colombia’s Catatumbo region, where armed confrontations have led to numerous civilian casualties and displaced over 30,000 individuals from their homes. The pontiff’s calls for peace and unity underline his broader message of compassion and solidarity in times of crisis.