— Rome — Pope Francis warned of a “grave humanitarian crisis” in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, as famine has struck the area after months of fighting between government forces, aided by Eritrea, and local rebels.

“I am especially close to the population of the Tigray region in Ethiopia, struck by a grave humanitarian crisis that could expose the poorest people to famine,” the Pope said, inviting the faithful to “pray together that the violence may cease immediately, that food and health assistance may be guaranteed to everyone, and that social harmony may be restored as soon as possible.”